Confirmed, Fermín López is much better, Tottenham makes it clear to Hansi Flick

Fermín López has established himself in Barça's first team through work, effort, and sacrifice. His future at Camp Nou seemed distant three years ago, but his 2023 preseason completely changed the club's perception. Xavi Hernández opened the doors of the first team to him and Fermín replied with a level that allowed him to earn a real place in the rotation.

Since then, his evolution has been constant and his impact has grown match by match. Today, under normal conditions, Fermín López has earned the right to a starting spot at Barça ahead of other profiles such as Dani Olmo. That progression explains why Flick sees him as a reliable resource in big matches and in demanding scenarios.

Hansi Flick wanted Xavi Simons, but Barça already had the solution

However, Fermín's role could have been very different if the signing that Hansi Flick requested last summer had arrived at Camp Nou. The name was Xavi Simons, an attacking midfielder raised at La Masia and a profile that Flick wanted to compete directly with Fermín López. Barça studied it, but the context of the market pushed the player toward the Premier League.

The name of Xavi Simons was strongly linked with Barça for weeks, especially after his departure from Leipzig. Flick understood that his arrival would raise the team's creative ceiling and increase internal competition. But Tottenham moved first and ended up closing a deal that seemed designed to turn him into a key piece.

Tottenham and Xavi Simons: minutes below the desired level

The reality, however, is not the desired one for Simons in London. So far, the Turkish-Dutch player has played just over 1,300 minutes across competitions, with an irregular presence in the starting eleven. In the Premier League, his minutes are around 60% of the total possible, while in the Champions League they are around 54%, a low figure for a marquee signing.

That figure is important because it shows that Tottenham doesn't consider him untouchable. In a team that demands pace, aggressiveness, and continuity, Simons has not yet managed to keep weekly consistency. When that happens, his competitive weight is reduced even if his talent is still there.

Fermín López, more complete: Barça confirms it without needing signings

Fermín López, by contrast, has built his place with continuity and immediate responses. He provides energy without the ball, arrivals into the box, tactical awareness, and a degree of intensity that is noticeable on a daily basis. That's why Barça understands that his performance is not only more stable, it is also more useful in the team's context.