Rumors have been swirling about a potential rift between Barcelona teammates Fermin Lopez and Gavi. Whispers of tension, fueled by alleged clashes between their girlfriends and a cryptic social media post, had fans wondering if the bromance was over. But Fermin has finally spoken out, setting the record straight in a recent interview.
Clearing the Air: Fermin's Statement
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Fermin addressed the speculation head-on. "Gavi has been my friend since I was 12 years old," he stated. "I've known him since my time at Betis, but since I joined La Masia, he has been my friend, like my brother. We have shared a lot. People always speculate, this will not change, but he is still my friend. We have a good relationship, as always, and I have nothing more to say about that."
His words aim to quell the rumors, suggesting that their bond remains strong despite the external noise. However, the initial speculation was intense, with some even suggesting that Gavi requested Fermin be placed on the transfer list after an argument.
Chelsea's Interest and Fermin's Loyalty
Amidst the rumors, Fermin also revealed that Chelsea made a substantial offer of £37 million (€40m/$50m) for his services during the summer. However, the 22-year-old chose to remain at Barcelona. He explained his decision, saying, "Well, in the end, my priority has always been to be at Barça. I arrived when I was 12 years old; it was my dream to be here, to be able to reach the first team. It is always a compliment when there is interest from other clubs, but the truth is that I always had the idea of staying at Barça and being able to succeed here. There has been a lot of speculation about all this, but I insist: my priority has always been to be at Barça."
The Enigmatic Social Media Post
Adding fuel to the fire was a social media post Fermin made on August 7th, which he quickly deleted. The post, filled with strong words, didn't explicitly mention anyone, but it sparked debate about whether it was directed at Gavi or another teammate. The post stated: "You never win the bad people, nor those who look the other way, nor those who make betrayal their way of life and cowardice their banner. It's only a matter of time. Those lose every day because the makeup with which they cover themselves every morning, sooner or later, fades and they end up showing themselves to the world as they really are." While the mystery behind the post lingers, Fermin's recent comments suggest a desire to move past the speculation and focus on his friendship with Gavi and his career at Barcelona.