Xavi wants to take a close look at 20-year-old youth prodigy during pre-season – report

Javier Gascon writes for Mundo Deportivo that among the 12 academy players who Xavi has called for the pre-season camp, he will keep a close eye on a certain Fermin Lopez, a 20-year-old winger who impressed the manager last season while on loan to Linares.

The manager wants to keep a close eye on the player in order to monitor his progress as he was impressed with his return of 12 goals and four assists in the Primera Federacion last season.

Only a year ago, Fermin did not have a place in Rafa Marquez’s Barça Atletic team but the club decided to renew his contract until 2024.

Last season, at Linares, those following him were absolutely delighted with the kind of performances he put which were enough to call for comparison with Pedro Rodriguez’s breakthrough in 2009.

Barcelona’s preparation for the pre-season tour of the USA has started to take shape. The manager has called up as many as 12 academy players, namely Angel Alarcon, Pau Cubarsi, Diego Kochen, Estanis Pedrola, Mikayil Faye, Lopez, Hector Fort, Lamine Yamal, Casado, Marc Guiu, Pau Prim and Unai Hernandez.

These youngsters were joined by the first team members like Inaki Pena, Alejandro Balde, Eric Garcia, Ferran Torres, Inigo Martínez, Marcos Alonso, Pablo Torre, Pedri, Araujo, Raphinha, Sergi Roberto, Clement Lenglet, Sergino Dest and Nico Gonzalez.

The Blaugrana are still missing several players like Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Marc-AndreTer Stegen, Ousmane Dembele, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Gavi, Ansu Fati and Ez Abde will join the team at a later date.

As for Fermin Lopez, a good showing in the pre-season could go a long way in helping the youngster earn a spot in Xavi’s plans for the next term, while he will also likely be a key part of Rafa Marquez’s Barça Atletic squad.