Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez revealed that he was entirely unaware of interest from other clubs during the January transfer window, insisting that his intention has always been to remain in Catalonia.

Lopez has had to fight for his place in Barcelona’s first team. As recently as 2023, the sprightly Spaniard was playing in the third tier of his nation’s football pyramid while on loan with Linares.

Xavi Hernandez included Lopez in Barcelona’s pre-season squad that summer where he impressed enough to earn a competitive debut last term. He has not looked back since.

A fringe member of the Spain setup which won Euro 2024, Lopez scored eight league goals last season and already has five across all competitions under Hansi Flick’s guidance. Adept at crashing into the box from midfield, the 21-year-old reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United and Aston Villa during this year’s winter window.

Both Premier League outfits were thought to be willing to pay around €70m (£58m) for Lopez, only to be resoundingly rebuffed.

Interest from any teams was news to Lopez. “I wasn’t aware of the offers,” he told SPORT this week. “I knew I wanted to be here, but it is comforting that the club didn’t want to listen to them and wanted me here, in the new project.”

Barcelona would have been able to generate pure profit on any sale of Fermin given his status as an academy product – a financial boost which would have helped a club with well-documented economic issues. But the powers that be in Catalonia clearly have faith in Lopez, who doesn’t take that for granted.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” the attacking midfielder gushed. “I’m a hard worker, I’m always available for the team and Xavi, [sporting director] Deco and now Hansi are helping me and giving me confidence to show my football. I’m very grateful to them.”

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