Fermin Lopez talks Pedri, Gavi, Gundogan, Flick, Olympics, Manchester United interest | OneFootball

The past year has been an absolutely memorable experience for Barcelona youngster Fermin Lopez as he has gone from being on loan at Linares to becoming a star for the Blaugrana.

Now, the 21-year-old midfield sensation is representing Spain at the UEFA Euro 2024 and will be flying to France in a month to play in the Paris Olympic Games.

During an interview with journalists Manu Amor and Alfredo Matilla, Fermin discussed his journey in the 12 months gone by, among other things.

Fermin not listening to outside noise

Given his meteoric rise over the past year, Fermin has already started to attract interest from clubs across Europe.

In fact, recent reports even suggested that Premier League heavyweights Manchester United were offering €30 million to sign the La Masia graduate.

However, Fermin insisted that he does not pay attention to all the noise in the media, saying: “I don’t read the press, it doesn’t interest me much. The important thing is that I want to be at Barça and that I only think about Barça. Nothing else.”

Reflecting on his journey in the past year, Fermin admitted that sometimes everything feels unreal, as he said:

“Sometimes you do. At other times you don’t value it so much, because you see it as something very normal, but if I realise everything that has happened to me in a year? I try to make the most of it.”

Barcelona and the Olympic Games

Barcelona are under new management heading into the new season with Hansi Flick replacing Xavi Hernandez as the head coach.

When asked if he had spoken to the new manager, Fermin replied: “He wished us all luck in the first game, but little else, really. A couple of messages and that’s it. I guess he’ll be watching the Euro and watching me.”

Fermin is one of three Barcelona players to have been named in the Spain squad for the Olympics, meaning he will be pulling double duty this summer, playing in two tournaments.

Fermin and Cubarsi will play for Spain at the Olympics. (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

While that has raised some concerns at Barça, given what happened with Pedri in the past, Fermin insisted that the club understood his desire to play in the Olympics.

“I’m very happy and excited to play in the Games,” the 21-year-old said.

“Yes, in principle Barça are in agreement, they haven’t put any problems. They know that being in an Olympic Games is incredible for any athlete. They have supported me and told me to go,” he added.

When asked if Pedri had given him any advice based on his own experience, Fermin said: “Yes, he did too. What happened to Pedri in 2021 is a case he had, but that doesn’t mean it will happen to everyone. He told me that it was a brutal experience and advised me to go and enjoy it.”

On being asked if he was worried about the workload taking a toll on him physically, the Barcelona youngster replied:

“No, no. Physically I’m fine. Physically I’m fine. During the year I’ve worked hard to get to these months in perfect shape. I feel great and I’m looking forward to it.”

Fermin, as a result of his involvement in the Olympics, will miss the pre-season and possibly the start of the new season as well if Spain go deep into the tournament.

It would mean that the 21-year-old would miss a chance to get used to the new manager’s ways, but he is not worried about it, as he said:

“No, no. When I get there, I’ll prove myself. This year I’ve also shown what a player I am. I’ll be back practically with the league already started, but it’s not something I’m worried about.”

On Gavi and Gundogan

Fermin hopes to see Gavi visit the Spain NT camp in Germany. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

It is well-known by this point that Fermin Lopez shares a great bond with Barcelona midfielder Gavi, with the 21-year-old admitting that he misses the fellow La Masia graduate in the Spain camp currently.

When asked if Gavi would be visiting the Spain camp anytime during the Euros, Fermin replied:

“I talk to him a lot to ask him how he’s doing, but I don’t know if he’s coming. He’s recovering. Everything is going very well. Hopefully, he will travel. I will try to convince him.”

If Spain get past Georgia in the Round of 16 at the Euros, they could come up against hosts Germany in the quarterfinals. It would mean Fermin coming face-to-face with Barcelona teammate Ilkay Gundogan.

“I notice a lot about Gundo, especially the way he plays. He has a very ambitious, winning character. I hope we can play against him,” admitted the youngster.