Lopez, 22, became a late target for Chelsea as manager Enzo Maresca looked to bolster his attacking options before the summer transfer window closed. ..Continue Reading
Reports from football.london indicated that Chelsea had serious interest in the midfielder and were weighing up a formal bid ahead of Monday night’s deadline.
The Premier League club reached out to Lopez’s representatives to explore the possibility of a move, but negotiations stalled.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was reportedly firm in his stance to retain the player, making any deal difficult to finalize.
Speaking to Spanish broadcaster RTVE on Tuesday, Yamal was asked about Lopez’s future. Both players had recently been called up to Spain’s national team by Luis de la Fuente for two crucial World Cup qualifying matches.
“He’s fine and happy as always,” said Yamal. “At Barca, if someone leaves, it’s their decision. We are a young, united group where there are no problems between us, and we enjoy the club we’re at.”
The Barcelona wonderkid added: “I don’t think anyone wants to leave. We jokingly asked him what was going on with England, but he told us he wanted to stay, that he was happy.”
Speaking to journalists before last weekend’s game against Rayo Vallecano, Flick insisted he was ‘convinced’ Lopez would remain. As quoted by ESPN on Saturday, the Barcelona boss said: “At the moment, he is here.
“I spoke with him. I’m convinced that he will stay, but at the end I don’t know what happens. We have to wait. I am really happy when the market is closed.
“I told him my opinion, but it’s between him and me. Sometimes players have other thoughts. Around the players are also a lot of people, who know maybe more than we know. It’s a big business.
“I have to focus on my team – and I am really happy Fermin plays for Barca. He’s a really important player for us. He showed that last season. His style is different to other players. He can help us a lot.”
Flick added: “My job is to focus on the team. Everyone knows I would love to keep every player here in Barcelona. Fermin is a player who is very aggressive on the pitch, against the ball but also with the ball.
“He’s good sprinting between the last lines and helps us a lot to create spaces. But he’s also a really great player to score goals, give the last pass, create chances. You can see that he lives [for] Barca. He loves Barca. I think, not to say too much, in his heart he is Barca.”
Rayo Vallecano held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw the next day, with Lopez coming off the bench in the final half an hour. In his post-match press conference, Flick provided an update on the former Chelsea target’s future.
As quoted by Marca, he said: “Today, we have to talk about the team, not the players. The most important thing for me is that when the transfer window closes, everyone is 100 per cent committed. It’s important not to have egos; that kills the chances of success.”
Flick may not have been a fan of the transfer window, but Yamal was. Speaking to RTVE, the Barcelona prodigy said: “I’ve always liked it because strange last-minute signings come out, like Alexis Sanchez’s to Sevilla.
“I like that movement, it’s a beautiful thing in football, and I’m glad those things happen. As long as they don’t happen to my team where we all stay, I’ll be happy.”
Yamal also disclosed that he had a conversation with Nico Williams about possibly joining him at Camp Nou. The Athletic Club star was linked with a move to the Premier League, before deciding to remain in the Basque Country.
“Yes, I did talk to him, but I already told him that in the end, it’s his career,” the 18-year-old winger admitted. “I’m too young to tell anyone what to do. The only important thing is that he enjoys it and has a good time wherever he is, and I’m happy if he’s happy.”
