Manchester United’s search for a midfield solution has led them to Barcelona’s Fermín López, but the Spanish club are not expected to make any deal straightforward.

The Daily Mail reports that United view the 23-year-old as a serious option as they weigh up an ambitious move. Fermín’s output last season underlined why he has drawn interest, with 13 goals and 17 assists across all competitions. He has already added five goals and four assists this season, further strengthening his reputation as a creative midfielder who can also arrive in the box.

That profile helps explain why he is being discussed as a possible long-term successor to Bruno Fernandes. The United captain is out of contract at the end of the season, although there is an option for another 12 months in the deal.

The report places Fermín’s valuation at around £70 million ($94 million), though Barcelona may still resist even at that level. Interest in the midfielder has been building for weeks, with several clubs across Europe said to be monitoring his situation at Camp Nou. Chelsea remain among those who have tracked him closely, after an unsuccessful bid of €40 million ($45 million) last summer.

Despite the noise around his future, Fabrizio Romano says there is no doubt inside Barcelona. Club officials are said to view him as a central figure now and later, while the player himself is understood to be very happy after signing a new five-year contract with the La Liga leaders.

The report states Fermín will “100%” remain with Barcelona.

If United are indeed looking at him as a Fernandes replacement, they may need to turn to other names. The same report suggests that, should the club have the budget to explore this level of signing, alternatives could include Como’s Nico Paz or Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest.

Edoardo Crnjar, the owner of the Excellence Sport agency, has urged caution over any talk of a permanent switch to Liverpool for Ronald Araújo, even while expressing clear satisfaction with the defender’s impact this season.

Araújo, who is on loan from Barcelona, has been one of only three players to feature in all 13 Liverpool matches so far. He has also contributed two goals and proved valuable both at centre back and at right back, which has only intensified speculation that Liverpool could seek to turn the loan into a permanent deal.

Crnjar, however, insisted that any decision remains distant. “Ronald is performing well, and we are very pleased with his contributions,” the agent told winwin . “However, it is still far too early to discuss his future at this stage.

“He feels very good; he is happy playing for Liverpool and pleased to be helping the club and his teammates—just as he has already expressed himself.”

Araújo has already made his own position clear. Earlier this month, he said it is “still early” to think about his long-term future, although he and his family are “very happy” with life in England.

His contract at Barcelona runs until 2031, but Liverpool’s route to a permanent move is straightforward in financial terms. Barcelona inserted a buy-option clause into the deal, believed to be worth €55 million ($61.4 million), so the fee is already known if Liverpool decide to act.

There remains the possibility of Liverpool attempting to renegotiate when the loan ends next summer, in the same way Barcelona approached Marcus Rashford’s future with Manchester United. Even so, the level of praise Araújo has received may make a discount difficult to secure.

Julian Ward, Liverpool’s new sporting director, will ultimately judge whether the 27-year-old is worth the investment. Araújo’s versatility has already been a major asset, although he may not be viewed as a first-choice starter when everyone is fit.

Liverpool have not always found loan signings easy to trust, which is why the reaction to Ronald Araújo’s arrival in August was measured rather than enthusiastic.

The defender joined on a season-long deal with an option to buy, arriving from Barcelona as club captain but with only 11 La Liga starts in 2025-26 behind him. Once widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in Spanish soccer, his reputation had been clouded by concerns over rash decisions, positional errors and injuries. Many saw the move as a hurried attempt to cover defensive gaps.

Less than three months later, the picture looks very different. Araújo has emerged as a strong candidate for Liverpool’s player of the season so far, having adapted quickly to both right back and central defense. He has started six of the club’s eight Premier League matches and has been praised for his ferocity and commitment.

That edge has made him an immediate favourite with supporters. His style has been described as pure Barclays defending, and social media has responded in kind to “Big Ron”. In Sunday’s 2-0 win over Brighton, he was named Player of the Match after producing a sliding header tackle inside his own box to protect the clean sheet. He won all five of his duels, made 11 defensive contributions and reached 36.3 km/h, reportedly the fastest speed in the Premier League this season.

His impact has not been limited to defending. Araújo already has two Champions League goals and one assist, with the standout moment a backheel for Dominik Szoboszlai in the comeback win over Atlético Madrid. He also made a long pressing run in that match, a sequence that underlined how quickly he has become part of the team’s identity.

The move has also provided a fresh start after his leave of absence from Barcelona for mental health reasons. Jamie Carragher said: “The fans have absolutely fallen in love with him straight away,” and added: “Sometimes you have players like that. They’ve come, they’ve got a bit of a backstory. At Barcelona maybe they were happy to see him go, but the Liverpool supporters opened their arms and gave him a big cuddle, and he seems to be enjoying it.”

Liverpool hold a £47 million option to buy him at the end of the season, though his age means the decision will not be straightforward. Araújo is enjoying the moment for now, but his resurgence has already given both clubs plenty to consider.