Fabrizio Romano rubbishes Manchester United interest in Barcelona star

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 8:02 PM ET

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Fermin Lopez

The end of the Premier League 2024/25 proved to be bitter for Manchester United. Finishing 15th felt like a deep blow to the club’s glorious history. The defeat at the hands of Spurs in the Europa League final also shattered the remaining hopes. The result was that United will not be seen as contending in any European competition in the 2025/26 season. Ruben Amorim, who took charge of Old Trafford in November, got fewer opportunities and more challenges. In such a situation, now all eyes are completely set on the new season.

Under Amorim, United are trying to adopt a 3-4-2-1 system. Under this plan, the club have made three consecutive signings this summer. Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and young Diogo Leon have been added to the team, keeping the future in mind. With the arrival of these three, new energy is being felt in the team. Supporters are now beginning to feel that the last bad season was just a stray turn.

Reality of the rumours flying in the name of Fermin Lopez

Recently, news started floating on social media that United is eyeing Barcelona’s young star Fermin Lopez. However, Fabrizio Romano clarified on his channel that there is ‘nothing concrete’ in this news. According to him, neither Barcelona are interested in selling him nor has the player put any pressure to leave the club. The release clause of this 22-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder itself indicates how much importance the Catalan club give him.

“At the moment, I’m told that there is nothing concrete in it. Also because, first point, Barcelona don’t want to sell Fermin Lopez. Second point, any chance for Fermin Lopez to go this month is only in case the player goes to Barca, goes to the director Deco, the coach Hansi Flick and says, ‘I want to go, I want to leave.”

Lopez, who came from La Masia, performed well last season, earning the trust of Hansi Flick. His positioning, dribbling and box-to-box game have made him an essential part of Barca’s midfield. Although there is room for such a profile in Amorim’s system, United already have two new names in Cunha and Mbeumo who fit this role.

When the news about Lopez first broke, as United fans, we found the rumour to be completely absurd. Barcelona see him as the future of midfield under Flick, so it seems unlikely that he would leave the club right now. In our opinion, Amorim has already bet on Cunha and Mbeumo for attacking midfield roles. Experienced players like Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount also fill the same position. Making room for Lopez would be a pointless struggle.

On the other hand, the club desperately need a clinical striker, with finishing being a major problem last season. We hope to see United take action in that direction sooner or later, as the attacking midfield depth has been added, but the striker position still remains weak. Instead of focusing on Lopez, Amorim and the board can bring in a natural number nine, which is the only way they can get back into the top-four race next season.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: