Inter Milan Eye €60m Move for Fermin Lopez as Long-Term Mkhitaryan Successor

Barcelona Fermin Lopez Emerges as Priority Target for Inzaghi’s Midfield Overhaul

As Inter Milan gear up for one of the biggest games in their recent history—the 2025 UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain—there’s just as much happening behind the scenes at the club as there is on the pitch. While the spotlight is currently on their European ambitions, the Nerazzurri are quietly laying the groundwork for a summer transfer window that could reshape their midfield.

One name that has climbed to the top of Simone Inzaghi’s wish list is Barcelona’s 22-year-old midfielder Fermin Lopez. According to reports from Calciomercato (via Mundo Deportivo), Inter have identified the young Spaniard as a prime candidate to succeed the ageing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whose influence on the team remains significant—but whose time at the top is inevitably drawing to a close.

Lopez, who has caught the eye with a string of energetic and technically impressive displays for Barça this season, is seen as the kind of player who could seamlessly slot into Inter’s system while also bringing a youthful edge to an experienced side. With a price tag reportedly set at €60 million, the deal won’t come cheap—but Inter are said to be seriously considering making a move once the curtain falls on their European campaign.

The Lopez Factor: A Star on the Rise at Camp Nou

The Lopez Factor: A Star on the Rise at Camp Nou

For Barcelona, Fermin Lopez has been one of the quiet revelations of the 2024–25 season. While not a regular starter under new head coach Hansi Flick, the versatile midfielder has made the most of his opportunities, contributing important goals and assists in both LaLiga and the Champions League.

It was during Barca’s epic Champions League semi-final clash with Inter—an unforgettable 7–6 aggregate thriller—that Lopez truly announced himself to a broader audience. Despite Barcelona ultimately falling short, his performances off the bench did not go unnoticed by Inter scouts.

The 22-year-old’s profile fits the bill perfectly for Inzaghi: he’s mobile, technically sound, can play box-to-box, and brings energy that Inter will need as they look to refresh a midfield anchored by veterans like Mkhitaryan and Hakan Çalhanoğlu.

Mkhitaryan Nearing Final Chapter in Milan

Fermin Lopez & Gavi

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been a model professional since arriving at Inter in 2022, but with his 36th birthday approaching and his contract expiring in 2026, it’s no surprise that the club is already looking toward the future.

The Armenian international has been instrumental in Inter’s domestic and European success under Inzaghi. However, the physical demands of elite-level football—and Inter’s desire to stay competitive both at home and abroad—mean that succession planning is essential.

That’s where Lopez comes in. Unlike some of the big-name signings Inter have flirted with in recent windows, Lopez offers a balance of affordability, potential, and tactical versatility. He’s not just a long-term replacement for Mkhitaryan—he’s a player who could shape the identity of Inter’s midfield for years to come.

Barcelona’s Financial Reality

While Inter are plotting their future, Barcelona’s hands remain tied by Financial Fair Play constraints and a rigid wage structure. Despite winning both LaLiga and the Copa del Rey this season, the Catalan giants face another challenging summer in the transfer market.

Their focus has shifted to internal matters—extending contracts of key players, trimming the wage bill, and making shrewd moves to comply with UEFA and LaLiga regulations. Fermin Lopez, talented as he is, does not currently occupy a first-choice role under Flick.

That makes him one of the more marketable assets on the fringes of the first team. Selling Lopez could help Barça generate much-needed revenue without losing a pillar of their starting XI. It’s a pragmatic move, though not without risk—especially if the midfielder flourishes elsewhere.

What Could the Deal Look Like?

As things stand, Inter have yet to submit a formal offer. But the groundwork is clearly being laid, and sources in Italy suggest that Lopez has been designated a “priority target” for the upcoming window. The €60 million valuation is high, but not outlandish given the current market—and especially not for a young, proven performer in top-level European football.

Much will depend on Barcelona’s willingness to negotiate, and on whether Inter can free up funds through player sales or Champions League prize money. A successful European final could give them the financial and reputational boost needed to move aggressively in the market.

Inter’s Bigger Picture: Building for the Future

Simone Inzaghi’s side have had a phenomenal season, having already sealed the Serie A title with weeks to spare. Their run to the Champions League final has been built on tactical cohesion, defensive solidity, and moments of brilliance from a seasoned core. But the future is calling.

With Mkhitaryan, Çalhanoğlu, and Nicolò Barella all nearing or in their prime years, Inter know they need to inject youth into the squad without disrupting the balance. The midfield, in particular, is a focus for long-term regeneration.

Fermin Lopez isn’t just a signing for the future—he’s someone who could contribute immediately, offer flexibility, and develop into one of the cornerstones of Inzaghi’s next-generation Inter side.

What’s Next?

For now, all eyes in Milan are on May 31, when Inter will walk out at the Allianz Arena in Munich to face PSG in the Champions League final. It’s a chance for the club to add another page to its illustrious European history.

Barcelona, meanwhile, will enjoy a deserved celebration after reclaiming domestic dominance with a LaLiga and Copa del Rey double. But as they toast success, difficult decisions await—and Fermin Lopez could well be one of the first dominos to fall in their summer rebuild.

Whether he ends up in Milan or remains in Catalonia, one thing is clear: Fermin Lopez is a player whose star is rising fast. And if Inter get their way, he might just be lighting up San Siro next season.