Lamine Yamal makes Chelsea transfer approach feelings clear after talks with Barcelona star

Lamine Yamal during FC Barcelona's clash against Como 1907. (Image: Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Lamine Yamal has revealed what Fermin Lopez said when the Barcelona dressing room quizzed him on his future. The 22-year-old midfielder was linked with a move to Chelsea towards the end of the summer transfer window, as Enzo Maresca raced to bolster his attacking options .

Speaking to Spanish broadcaster RTVE on Tuesday, Yamal was asked to provide an update on Lopez . The duo were called up to the national team by Luis de la Fuente ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifiers.

"He's fine and happy as always," said Yamal. "At Barca, if someone leaves, it's their decision. We are a young, united group where there are no problems between us, and we enjoy the club we're at ."

The Barcelona wonderkid went on: "I don't think anyone wants to leave. We jokingly asked him what was going on with England, but he told us he wanted to stay, that he was happy."

Speaking to reporters ahead of last weekend's clash against Rayo Vallecano, Flick claimed he was 'convinced' Lopez would stay. As quoted by ESPN on Saturday, the Barcelona boss said: "At the moment, he is here.

"I spoke with him. I'm convinced that he will stay, but at the end I don't know what happens.

"We have to wait. I am really happy when the market is closed.

"I told him my opinion, but it's between him and me. Sometimes players have other thoughts. Around the players are also a lot of people, who know maybe more than we know. It's a big business.

"I have to focus on my team - and I am really happy Fermin plays for Barca. He's a really important player for us. He showed that last season. His style is different to other players. He can help us a lot."

Flick added: "My job is to focus on the team. Everyone knows I would love to keep every player here in Barcelona. Fermin is a player who is very aggressive on the pitch, against the ball but also with the ball.

"He's good sprinting between the last lines and helps us a lot to create spaces. But he's also a really great player to score goals, give the last pass, create chances. You can see that he lives [for] Barca. He loves Barca.

"I think, not to say too much, in his heart he is Barca."

Rayo Vallecano held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw the following day, with Lopez coming off the bench in the final half an hour. In his post-match press conference, Flick provided an update on the former Chelsea target's future.

As quoted by Marca , he said: "Today, we have to talk about the team, not the players.

"The most important thing for me is that when the transfer window closes, everyone is 100 per cent committed.

"It's important not to have egos; that kills the chances of success."

Flick was not, necessarily, a fan of the transfer window, but Yamal was. In his interview with RTVE , the Barcelona wonderkid said: "I've always liked it because strange last-minute signings come out, like Alexis Sanchez's to Sevilla.

"I like that movement, it's a beautiful thing in football and I'm glad those things happen.

"As long as they don't happen to my team where we all stay, I'll be happy."

The 18-year-old winger also revealed that he spoke to Nico Williams about possibly joining him at the Camp Nou. The Athletic Club forward was heavily linked with a switch to the Premier League, before he then decided to stay in the Basque Country.

"Yes, I did talk to him, but I already told him that in the end, it's his career," said Yamal.

"I'm too young to tell anyone what to do.

"The only important thing is that he enjoys it and has a good time wherever he is, and I'm happy if he's happy."