Barcelona midfielder Gavi is 'sad' as he faces another knee surgery, but Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is backing the youngster return stronger.

Barcelona opt for a cautious approach with Gavi after a knee injury flare-up, but a second operation remains a possibility if physical therapy fails.

Barcelona star Fermin Lopez has played down talk of an alleged rift with team-mate Gavi and revealed why he chose not to join Chelsea this summer.

Barcelona’s dressing room has reportedly been rocked by an extraordinary bust-up between two of its brightest young stars, with Gavi allegedly demanding that his long-time friend Fermin Lopez be sold after a furious clash that nearly turned physical. The pair’s relationship stretches back to their teenage years at La Masia but those warm memories have been torched in recent days, as a personal dispute has spiralled into a full-blown feud.

Tension is said to be building in the Barcelona dressing room as team-mates Fermin Lopez and Gavi are at loggerheads due to their girlfriends, who repotedly do not get along. Gavi and Lopez are known to be close friends since childhood as they spent a significant amount of time at La Masia together, before featuring for Barcelona's senior side. Gavi, who recently celebrated his 21st birthday, notably did not receive any message from Lopez.