Barcelona see 20-year-old academy ace as Plan B if a new midfielder does not arrive

While all of Barcelona’s efforts and energy are currently employed in signing a new right-back, manager Xavi Hernandez has also requested the club for another attacking midfielder.

The 43-year-old tactician remains keen on adding another midfielder to his ranks who can bring more goals and creativity to the table.

Bernardo Silva had been Xavi’s priority but a move for him was never going to be possible given the financial situation.

As such, Barça have set their sights on Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso as an alternative, and have even held talks with his camp about a possible move on loan.

However, at this point, it is clear that for the club to be able to sign another player, there needs to be an exit, apart from that of Clement Lenglet.

Fermin Lopez: Barcelona’s Plan B

But with players like Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres reluctant to leave, it may lead to a situation where Barcelona cannot sign anyone after Cancelo.

And in that scenario, the Blaugrana will turn to their academy for relief, with Ferran Correas of SPORT reporting that Fermin Lopez has been identified as Plan B if Lo Celso or another midfielder does not join.

Xavi already has five midfielders at his disposal in the form of Pedri, Gavi, Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong, and Oriol Romeu.

And in the scenario that nobody else arrives, Fermin Lopez will take up the spot of the sixth midfielder in the squad.

The 20-year-old La Masia ace spent the last season on loan at Linares and made a solid impression. He was also quite impactful in his pre-season appearances with the Blaugrana, with his goal against Real Madrid being a particular highlight.

Lopez has been on the bench in Barça’s opening two league games but is yet to make his La Liga debut.

But should the Catalans not sign a new midfielder between now and the end of the transfer window, the 20-year-old ace can expect to get minutes under Xavi moving forward.