Sunderland make record-breaking approach for Fermin Lopez with Champions League ambitions laid bare

Credit: Imago

Mon 10 November 2025 10:59, UK

Fermin Lopez has emerged as a target for Sunderland, according to reports abroad.

Sunderland’s summer business was outstanding, and with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Nordi Mukiele thriving, it has certainly paid off.

However, after such a strong start to the campaign, European qualification may be a goal for Sunderland, and that will likely be reflected by the business they do in the January window.

With that in mind, Barcelona superstar Lopez has emerged as one of what will be expected to be many targets, in what would be a stupidly ambitious transfer.

Credit: Imago

Fermin Lopez subject of £70million Sunderland bid

According to reports from Spanish news outlet Fichajes on 10 November, Sunderland have launched a £70million offer for Lopez, who is just one appearance away from his 100th at Barcelona.

The 22-year-old has been a regular for the La Liga giants, but is rumoured to be a target for the Black Cats, and an ambitious one at that.

• 99 senior appearances
• 25 goals
• 13 assists

If the links were to come true, it would be the highest transfer fee ever paid by a promoted club in their first season, with Morgan Gibbs-White currently at the top of the list.

After Forest’s promotion back to the top flight, he joined in a package deal worth up to £42m.

Lopez would also become Sunderland’s club-record signing, surpassing the £30m spent to sign Habib Diarra from Strasbourg in the summer.

While Champions League qualification seems like a fantasy for Sunderland, these are the types of signings that can catapult you there.

Xavi once hailed Fermin Lopez as a ‘great talent’

La Masia has produced some of football’s greatest ever players, from Lionel Messi and Iniesta to Lamine Yamal, who we have today.

Lopez is just another product of their academy, and he earned praise from Xavi at a very young age.

Back in 2023, the former Barcelona manager told reporters: “With the staff we don’t look at age. We’ve seen him very comfortable, and I think he can help us.

“Fermin is a player with great talent, two feet and an ability to play the final pass. He is only 20 years old, but he has plenty of character.

“He’s a player I like, and that final pass is something we lacked a little bit last season. He is not afraid, he wants the ball, and he keeps it simple. When I see that in training, then I have to give him minutes for his confidence.”

Sunderland will be ambitious in January, as they have been consistently under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, but this one may seem too far-fetched even for him.

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