Blues warned as Lopez grows into key Catalan threat

BARCELONA'S financial struggles are no secret and the Catalans have had to lean heavily on their youth academy to provide first-team calibre players over the past few years.

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While superstar winger Lamine Yamal, in the mould of all-time Barça great Lionel Messi, draws most of the limelight, another La Masia graduate is proving increasingly vital in Fermín López.

The 22-year-old midfielder is establishing himself as a regular starter for Hansi Flick, even though outside Spain he is not yet a household name. Chelsea know plenty about López, though, having had a €40-million (about R800m) bid rebuffed in the summer. Barcelona visit Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in the Champions League with the midfielder as one of their main goal threats.

Flick was keen to keep López, while Barça were open to selling him at the right price, which Chelsea did not reach. 'I am convinced that he will stay, but in the end I do not know what happens. We have to wait. I am really happy when the market is closed,' said Flick in August, eventually getting his wish. López joined Barça as a 13-year-old and badly wanted to stay. 'He lives for Barça, he loves Barça,' added Flick.