Chelsea have been looking to bring in someone in the middle of the park, and the West Londoners are said to be plotting a fresh approach for Barcelona star Fermin Lopez when the January transfer window comes around. The Blues are ready to break the bank to land his signature.
According to a recent report from Spanish publication Fichajes, the Premier League heavyweights are said to be prepping an €80 million offer to bring the 22-year-old midfielder to Stamford Bridge.
Blues pushed to sign Lopez in winter
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca feels that his side still lacks what it takes to win the Premier League title this season.
Enzo Maresca would love someone like Lopez in his roster.
Chelsea did try to lure him to West London in the recently concluded summer window but failed with a late move. The Catalans remained unmoved after Chelsea’s initial interest, but given the financial problems still looming at Camp Nou, Chelsea are hoping a bigger bid could shift things in January.
Lopez established himself as a key part of Hansi Flick’s side this season. There is an understanding that he is very happy at Camp Nou. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also relayed recent comments from the La Masia academy graduate, where he said, “I see myself completing my contract until 2029 at Barcelona. I don’t want to leave. I love this club.”
But Chelsea doesn’t take no for an answer, and we saw how the Blues pushed to bring him to the Bridge in the final days of the summer window after they shifted their focus from Xavi Simons.
And while the Blues ultimately ended up signing Facundo Buonanotte on loan to cover that creative midfield role. The fact that there was no buy clause to bring him to West London raised a few eyebrows initially before an understanding was spoken among the supporters about how he is just a short-term fix.
Can Chelsea push Barca to reconsider their stance on Lopez?
Lopez is still viewed as a top-tier addition at Chelsea as someone who has the capacity to elevate the second phase for the Blues to a new level under Enzo Maresca. The former Pep Guardiola assistant is said to believe that Lopez fits his system.
The reported €40m offer which was made to attain his signing in the summer never seriously, never really, tested Barcelona’s transfer stance. But maybe that €80m package ends up getting them to consider selling him.
We know that the Blues wouldn’t be afraid to splash the cash if the talent is there, but it is to be seen if Barca do end up reconsidering their stance in the mid-season.