Hansi Flick demands the arrival of a defender at Barcelona to release Fermín to Chelsea

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has issued a firm condition to the club’s board: no sale of Fermín López to Chelsea unless a new defender arrives.

Flick Pushes Back Against Barcelona’s Transfer Policy

Since arriving at Camp Nou, Hansi Flick has restored Barcelona’s dominance, leading the team to a La Liga title, Copa del Rey trophy, and a Champions League semifinal. Yet, despite on-field success, tension between the coach and the board is growing.

Financial struggles have forced Barcelona into selling key players, something Flick has strongly opposed. He was frustrated by Iñigo Martínez’s transfer to Al-Nassr and had previously clashed with the board over their intention to sell Marc Casadó.

Chelsea Offers €50M for Fermín López

The latest point of contention is Fermín López, who has attracted a €50 million bid from Chelsea. The midfielder has 48 hours to decide on the move, but Flick is not willing to let him go without reinforcement.

According to Fichajes, the German coach has demanded that Barcelona sign a left-footed defender before approving Fermín’s transfer. He believes losing both Martínez and Fermín in the same window would seriously weaken his squad.

Defensive Reinforcement a Priority

Flick has reportedly told the board that while Ronald Araújo and Pau Cubarsí remain valuable options, neither has offered the same stability provided by last season’s defensive pair. To maintain competitive balance, he insists that replacing Martínez is essential if Fermín is sacrificed.

Barcelona’s Next Fixture

Despite the internal transfer disputes, Barcelona remains top of La Liga and unbeaten so far this season. Their next challenge comes Sunday (31/08), when they visit Rayo Vallecano in another crucial league test.