Chelsea will cross paths with their summer target Fermin Lopez on Tuesday night.
The Blues face Lopez’s Barcelona in the Champions League, but the attacking midfielder could have easily been lining up for them instead.
Chelsea tried to sign Lopez in the previous transfer window; however, a deal was never agreed and he ended up remaining at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Chelsea’s last five results vs Barcelona
Barcelona 3-0 Chelsea – 14/3/18
Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona – 20/2/18
Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea – 24/4/12
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona – 18/4/12
Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona – 6/5/09
It has now emerged that the Club World Cup winners really struggled to convince the 22-year-old to sign up for their project.
Barcelona attacker Fermin Lopez celebrating goal
Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Fermin Lopez didn’t find Chelsea’s project as exciting as staying at Barcelona
Chelsea have something good going on at the club right now. They are second in the Premier League table, won two trophies last season and have some extremely gifted young players in their squad.
Even so, Lopez could not be lured to Stamford Bridge in the previous transfer window.
According to Sport, Chelsea’s project did not excite him as much as remaining part of Hansi Flick’s awesome team.
Will Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League?
Following their failure to sign the Spain international, figures at Chelsea are now “tearing their hair out”, the same outlet claims.
Nevertheless, it is thought that Chelsea still have Lopez on their radar, so the Conference League holders could try to make another move for him in the near future.
FC Barcelona v Athletic Club - LaLiga EA Sports
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Fermin Lopez having terrific season after rejecting Chelsea
Barcelona will be glad that Lopez decided to stay at the Spotify Camp Nou. He has been one of their best players in the current campaign.
Lopez has already scored three times in as many games in the Champions League, so he is one name that Chelsea will have to look out for.
Fermin Lopez’s 2025/26 stats Appearances Goals Assists
La Liga 9 4 2
Champions League 3 3 2
Total 12 7 4
It is a shame that Chelsea could not get a deal over the line, as Lopez really would have come in handy this term following Cole Palmer’s injury.
Again, they may make another attempt to sign Lopez in the future, but Barcelona will want to keep hold of him, especially after how he has performed this season.