Former Barcelona youth director urges club not to sell Chelsea-linked star – ‘I would ask for €120 million’ | OneFootball

The ongoing speculation linking Fermin Lopez with a late move to Chelsea has led to quite the chatter within Barcelona circles.

The club are not too keen on selling the Spaniard, but may consider the exit if Chelsea come up with a lucrative offer.

Amid uncertainty over Fermin’s future at the club, former Barcelona youth director Jordi Roura has spoken out in favour of the Spaniard.

Jordi Roura backs Fermin Lopez

In a recent interview with Gerard Romero (h/t SPORT), Roura urged Barcelona not to sell Fermin Lopez, as he believes there are no players like him in the market.

“In football, circumstances are what dictate, although from a personal and footballing point of view, I believe Fermun should not leave the club,” he said.

Formerly an assistant to the late Tito Vilanova, Jordi Roura briefly served as Barcelona’s caretaker manager from January 2013 to March 2013. He continued serving as the assistant of Gerardo Martino.

Fermin’s future uncertain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Roura then took up the role of team coordinator of Barcelona B and was involved in the role for seven years before leaving in 2021.

Putting himself in Hansi Flick’s shoes, Roura added that Fermin brings a lot to the table, and the club may find it difficult to find someone like him.

“If I were Hansi Flick, Fermin wouldn’t leave, not even as a joke. I would grab him and never let him go. There are no players like Fermín on the market.

“It’s very difficult to find players with his technique and goalscoring ability. And he’s also a player who brings a great fighting spirit,” he said.

Roura went on to add that Fermin should be a starter at Barcelona. “From a sporting perspective, I think there’s no debate. Fermin is an undisputed player. For me, he’s the starting midfielder. Olmo is a great player, but he’s had injuries.”

Further explaining his stance, Roura pointed out that Fermin’s presence makes tactical sense for Barcelona.

“If I want Fermin to stay, it is not because he is from La Masia, because in professional football, what counts is performance, and Fermín has shown that he has given a great performance.

“If the home team does not perform, they do not play and end up out. People want to win, and that is why those from La Masia must perform, and that is what they have been doing in recent years,” he said.

Jordi Roura added that patience will be important for Barcelona as they look to realise the full potential of Fermin Lopez.

Jordi Roura in conversation with Gerardo Martino (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“Barça has to be patient with its players, which is why it invests in the youth team. When a player has talent and understands the game well, even if his physical condition doesn’t match up in the youth team, you have to wait, and that’s what we did with Fermín because we believed in him.

“I always told the coaches that Fermin had to play, because we have to give continuity to players with this talent and wait for their moment,” he added.

However, the former coach does understand Barcelona’s position and the economic importance of closing a big sale by the end of the month.

“If they had asked me, I would have asked for €120 million. If this happens, then we have to accept it, but having said that, I think we have to remember that in football, not everything is about money,” he said.

Finally, putting everything into perspective, Roura said that the most logical solution is for Fermin to continue at Barcelona.

“The Barça style suits Fermin; he’s in a city he knows and at a club he loves. Chelsea has 500 players on its payroll, and everything needs to be considered, although I understand the decision isn’t easy.

“I think the club has done wrong by asking for a lot of money because they need to put obstacles in the way of this exit,” he concluded.