Barcelona swoop to beat Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to Lyon wonderkid Maxime Lopez
BARCELONA hope to beat Real Madrid to Marseille wonderkid Maxime Lopez.
The highly-rated midfielder is one of the hottest properties in France and the La Liga duo are set to do battle for his signature next summer.
Bernabeu boss Zinedine Zidane is known to have followed Lopez’s progress for a number of years as the teenager is a pal of his sons Enzo and Luca.
But, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca bosses have already made contact with the France u-21 international’s representatives in a bid to steal a march on their bitter rivals.
And it is reported that Lopez, 19, has indicated that he is keen on a move to the Nou Camp.
Lopez burst on to the scene last season, netting three times in 30 appearances as Rudi Garcia's side finished fifth in Ligue 1.
The playmaker - whose style has drawn comparisons to Barca legends Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta - has also attracted the attention of Premier League giants Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
But Barcelona monitored his progress closely throughout the campaign with scouts passing on positive reports to new boss Ernesto Valverde.
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Who is Maxime Lopez, the new Andres Iniesta?
- Lopez was born on December 4 1997 in Marseilles and joined his hometown club in 2010
- Initially drew comparisons with fellow Marseille graduate Samir Nasri with whom he shares Algerian descent
- Broke in to Marseille first-team last season and shone in 30 Ligue 1 appearances
- Describes as versatile playmaker with fluid movement and quick and intelligent passing
- Netted three League goals as Marseille finished fifth and notched an impressive six assists
- Sparkling form has seen plaudits aim higher, comparing him to Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Marco Verratti
- Is a friend of Zinedine Zidane’s kids Enzo and Luca as Real Madrid boss is a long-term admirer
- Older brother Julien is also a footballer and plays in the French lower leagues
Lopez only signed a new contract with Marseille in February that runs until 2021.
However the club will be forced to consider selling at the end of this term should a substantial offer come in.
Barca are keen to get their transfer dealings done early in future windows having been left short by Neymar’s controversial move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The Catalans eventually secured the protracted signing of Ousmane Dembele but failed to land top target Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool on deadline day.
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