Midfielder says he intends to stay at the club for many years
Fermin Lopez has made clear he always wanted to stay at Barcelona despite speculation linking him with a move away in the summer.
The 22-year-old midfielder scored twice on Sunday as Barcelona punished Valencia 6-0 at Estadi Johan Cruyff, but he was linked with a €90m move to Chelsea only a month ago in the transfer window.
“My intention has always been to be here for many years,” said Lopez. “I never doubted it.
“There was speculation but I have always wanted to be here, and I will fight to be here for many years.”
Lopez opened the scoring in the 29th minute, running on to a pass by Ferran Torres from deep and then finishing clinically. He added his second shortly after half-time with a stunning strike from outside the box to make it three, as Valencia unravelled.
Barcelona’s substitutes Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski both scored twice after coming off the bench to complete the rout.
“It was a difficult game at the beginning, but the whole team was at the right level and the scoreline reflects that,” Lopez added.
“We took advantage of our opportunities. It’s true that we feel very good, like we did last year.”
