Sunderland AFC are reportedly set to break their transfer record with a huge €80m (£70.3m) bid for FC Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez.
In a move that marks the Black Cats’ rapid transition from surprise Premier League package to bona fide European contenders, Sunderland have identified the 22-year-old Spain international as the ‘axis’ of their ambitious future project.
If completed, the deal would not only be the biggest in Sunderland’s history, but also one of the most significant transfers of the January 2026 window.
Sunderland eye statement signing for Fermin Lopez
According to a report from Spanish newspaper Fichajes, Barcelona find themselves at the center of a market storm after receiving “strong interest” from Sunderland.
The report emphasizes that this is not a speculative investigation but a concrete proposal supported by the club’s board of directors.
According to the report, Sunderland are ready to put 80 million euros on the table, a figure which requires the Barcelona hierarchy to “analyze all possible scenarios with maximum attention”.
The British club sees Lopez as more than just an addition to the squad. They see him as a “reference” who combines leadership, energy and competitive character to lead the team on and off the field.
The report adds that although manager Hansi Flick and his coaching staff believe that Lopez has not yet reached his ceiling and is essential to their sporting project, the financial reality is harsh.
The club acknowledges that a sale of this magnitude would “ease economic tensions”, allow them to operate freely in the market and strengthen other key positions.
Sunderland have reportedly identified Lopez as a ‘difference maker’ from day one.
| Category | Statistical |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 107 |
| Goals | 26 |
| Aids | 17 |
Fermin Lopez’s stats for Barcelona
Sunderland ready to make huge statement after impressive return to Premier League
The audacity of an €80 million move for a Barcelona regular shows just how far Sunderland have come under Regis Le Bris.
After their promotion in 2025, the 2025/26 campaign was nothing short of a fairy tale.
Currently sitting in the top half of the Premier League table and fighting for Champions League qualification, the Black Cats have proven that they belong to the elite.
They are just four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and have shown a consistency that could see them challenge for a place in Europe next season.
After experienced summer arrivals such as Granit
From a tactical point of view, Le Bris’ high-intensity, pressing-based system requires midfielders capable of contributing to goals, energy and aggression, qualities that perfectly match Lopez’s profile.
With the January window now open, Sunderland have made their position clear: they are no longer content with mere survival, they are aiming for the top.
