Those in the boardroom at La Liga champions Barcelona were hopeful of parting with a transfer-linked member of the club’s first-team ranks this summer.
That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Fermín López as the player in question.
Fermín’s name of course proved the most prominent one in the media headlines surrounding Barcelona in the buildup to the transfer deadline.
This came after widespread confirmation was forthcoming that the 22-year-old had been identified as a leading transfer target on the part of Premier League outfit Chelsea.
The Blues even went as far as to table an opening offer for Fermín’s signature.
🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea send official written proposal to Barcelona for Fermín López!
Initial proposal worth €40m has been submitted this afternoon right after the game.#CFC awaiting answer from Barça after sending a proposal today. pic.twitter.com/AUXLcq3je7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2025
In the end, no agreement was found before Monday’s transfer deadline, with the Spanish international having stayed put in his home country as a result.
But as alluded to above, if the latest word stemming from the media 24 hours on is anything to go by, then this was in fact not the desired outcome for those behind the scenes at the Camp Nou.
Instead, as per a report from Sport, in an effort to balance the club’s books:
‘Barça wanted to sell Fermín López to the Premier League.’
Conor Laird – GSFN