Barcelona youngsters Fermin Lopez and Marc Casado were both linked with moves away from the club during the summer transfer window but have ended up staying in Catalunya.
Lopez was the subject of a late offer from Chelsea, while Premier League clubs were also reportedly interested in landing Casado.
Former Juvenil A coach Óscar López has been asked about the situation and explained why he would never sell La Masia gems such as Lopez, Gavi or Casado if he were in charge.
“I would never contemplate a sale
of a player like Fermín or any other homegrown player who is performing well in the first team,” he told Sport.
“I don’t care about the price and if there is a need maybe we would have to sell one or two players but never Fermín, Casadó, Gavi or any of the other La Masia players consolidated in the elite.
“These players who have already shown their level in the first team will always give us an extra commitment and feeling that helps us compete and win. Those who come from abroad can be very good but it is very difficult for them to offer you what a Fermín, Casadó, Lamine or Cubarsí gives.”
Lopez also thinks that Lopez’s decision to stay sends a great message to all the youngsters currently in La Masia.
“Fermín has always given everything in all the minutes he has and with more experience and over the years he will learn to know how to regulate himself a little and run better when he loses the ball, now he does it with his heart and he is learning to do it with his head,” he added.
“His continuity is a great message for all the boys at La Masia who have to look at players like Casado or Fermín who have had to work very hard to get there.”
