Barca's Lopez on Blues' radar

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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Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez celebrates after scoring in a recent match.

(AFP)

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

The 22-year-old midfielder, Fermin Lopez, is establishing himself as a regular starter for Hansi Flick, even though outside of Spain he is not yet a household name.

Chelsea know plenty about Lopez, though, having had a €40 million (US$46 million) bid rebuffed in the summer.

Barcelona visit Stamford Bridge today in the Champions League with the midfielder as one of their main goal threats.

Flick was keen to keep Lopez, while Barca were open to selling him at the right price, which Chelsea did not reach.