Fermin Lopez has distanced himself from rumours that he could be on his way to the Premier League and told Barcelona fans they can ‘rest easy’ over his future.
The 22-year-old attacker has scored 19 goals in 88 appearances for Barca since breaking into the first-team in 2023 and was a part of Hansi Flick’s squad that won the Copa del Rey, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup last season.
But despite signing a new contract at the Camp Nou last October, tying himhim to the club until 2029, there has been mounting speculation that Lopez could be on the move before thetransfer deadline.
Manchester United and Chelsea have both been credited with a strong interest in recent weeks, with the latter even prepared to offer up Chistopher Nkunku in a proposed swap deal for the Barca winger.
But Lopez remains central to Hansi Flick’s plans in Catalonia and it’s understood the Spanish champions would only have considered selling their academy product had he agitated for a summer transfer.
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But reports emanating out of Barcelona at the weekend claimed Lopez ‘was not planning on changing teams’ and the player’s intention has always been to stay with the club he joined at the age of just 13.
Lopez has now confirmed that these reports are true and underlined that his ‘dream’ to ‘continue defending the colours’ of his boyhood team.
‘I want to stay here,’ Lopez told Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.
‘It’s my dream and I’ll stay. I’m happy to help the team.
‘Many things have been said, but I’m going to continue defending these colours and working as hard as anyone. The fans can rest easy.’
Lopez has been encouraged by Barcelona’s summer transfer business and is pleased that Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s dispute with the club has now been resolved.
‘The new players are doing very well and they will help us a lot,’ Lopez added.
‘Marc is the first captain and we respect him a lot. What’s happened is external.’
Barca ran out 5-0 winners over Cesc Fabregas’ Como in the final match of their pre-season schedule on Sunday and Lopez felt the game was ‘great’ preparation for the new campaign, which gets underway at Mallorca on Saturday.
‘It was a great match for the entire team and it will be good for us,’ Lopez – who scored a first-half brace in the clash – continued.
‘Hard work is non-negotiable and the pressure is high, just like last year, when we performed very well. We’ll have to keep it up.’
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