Furious Gavi allegedly asks for Barcelona team-mate to be put on transfer list after 'heated argument'

• Furious bust-up sparked by personal tensions
• Gavi urges Barcelona to sell Fermin
• Club open to transfer amid cash crisis

WHAT HAPPENED?

It is alleged that the spark between Gavi and Lopez was ignited due to a simmering clash between their girlfriends. It is believed that the women have never got along, and that tension has now spilt into the players’ relationship. Gavi, who turned 21 just days ago, noticed an ominous silence from Lopez on his big day, no message, no gesture. That snub alone raised eyebrows. But the real bombshell came on Wednesday night, when Lopez took to Instagram with a cryptic, black-and-white image of himself celebrating on his knees.

Minutes later, he followed it up with a blistering post dripping with venom: "Bad people never win, 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. They lose every day because the makeup they cover themselves with every morning, sooner or later, fades away, and they end up revealing themselves to the world as they really are.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

It is clear that the fall-out has left their once-brotherly bond in ruins, with SPORT claiming “there’s no way back.” In the aftermath of the row, a fuming Gavi reportedly went straight to Barça power broker Alejandro Echevarría, the influential presidential adviser trusted by many in the dressing room. There, he laid it out: Fermin had to go. Word of Gavi’s plea didn’t take long to reach Lopez, and insiders say it was the trigger for his pointed Instagram rant.

DID YOU KNOW?

SPORT claims the only figure capable of mending the rift is head coach Hansi Flick. The German tactician has been urged to bring the pair together, talk it out, and stop the dispute from damaging the club’s spirit. On the pitch, Barcelona value Lopez’s tenacity and technical quality. However, sources have told COPE’s Helena Condis that although Lopez is not officially on the market, executives know he is one of the few players who could command a hefty fee. With Barça under pressure to raise funds for a marquee summer signing, the idea of cashing in on Lopez is tempting, particularly if a strong offer lands.

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

For his part, Lopez is refusing to be pushed out. A Barcelona boy through and through, he is adamant that he wants to stay, fight for his shirt, and prove his worth to Flick. The Blaugrana aren’t forcing him to leave, but the message is clear: if a bid comes in that can bankroll their transfer plans, they will listen.