According to a report by El Chiringuito, as relayed by Catalonian outlet 3Cat, Fermin Lopez is the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are keen on reinforcing their midfield and offensive unit by signing a versatile playmaker. So, the Barcelona prospect has emerged as a target for the West London club.
Chelsea also presented a bid worth €75 million to sign the Spaniard from Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The proposal may have also included a player. However, the reigning La Liga champions do not wish to part ways with the highly-rated playmaker and have rejected the offer from the West London club.
Fermin Lopez has come leaps and bounds since breaking into the first-team squad at FC Barcelona. A native of El Campillo, the 22-year-old spent his formative years in his homeland, starting his youth career in his hometown before passing through the academies at Recreativo de Huelva and Real Betis.
However, the Spanish international graduated from La Masia and has not taken long to make his mark for the first team. Even though the youngster is not a first-choice starter for Barcelona, he contributed to 18 goals in only 2,039 minutes of game time by finding the back of the net eight times and providing ten assists. Meanwhile, Lopez’s progress has not gone unnoticed, alerting top clubs like Chelsea.
Chelsea’s interest in Fermin Lopez is understandable. While Cole Palmer is the first-choice starter in the no. 10 role, the Barcelona playmaker’s versatility makes him an appealing target for the West London outfit. So, with Jadon Sancho returning to Manchester United and Noni Madueke facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, Lopez is a viable target for Chelsea.
The Blues have not taken long to further their interest in the 22-year-old Spaniard, submitting a bid worth €75 million to sign him from Barcelona. The offer may have also contained a player to become a sweetener for Barcelona. However, the newly crowned La Liga champions have knocked back the offer.
Barcelona’s response is hardly surprising, considering recent reports have claimed that Hansi Flick does not want the Blaugrana to cash in on the Olympics 2024 gold medalist. So, Chelsea must look elsewhere for a new playmaker.
