Chelsea are reportedly prepared to smash their transfer record for a Barcelona favourite as Liam Rosenior's side ponder a £130 million bid.
Chelsea to usher in Liam Rosenior era after Enzo Maresca axe
Chelsea's rumoured ambitions for January show no signs of slowing following their disappointing 2-1 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage earlier this week.
RC Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior is interviewed before the match
Rosenior inherited a squad which still requires proven quality across multiple areas if the Blues are to salvage something meaningful from a campaign that has fallen considerably short of expectations.
Enzo Maresca's breakdown in relations with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy resulted in the Italian being handed his P45 on New Year's Day, despite winning the Conference League, Club World Cup and qualifying for the Champions League last season.
Now, Rosenior is tasked with ushering in a new era at the club under much more pressure than his previous managerial role at sister club Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
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The Blues have been linked with a few audacious moves since the manager's arrival.
The largely inexperienced tactician did also work wonders at Hull City before his move to France, but this is an entirely different level.
Nevertheless, according to recent reports, Rosenior has wasted no time stamping his authority at Cobham, and it is believed that the 41-year-old already has his eyes on bolstering the Chelsea squad.
RC Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior during the match
As per Brazilian news sources, Chelsea have already had a bid turned down for Corinthians midfielder Breno Bidon, while reports from Spain claim that Rosenior has personally asked for Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and even Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Barcelona sensation Fermin Lopez is being linked with a move to west London too, with a sensational claim now emerging today.
Chelsea prepared to smash transfer record with £130m bid for Fermin Lopez
As per one Spanish media source this afternoon, BlueCo are pondering a mammoth offer for the midfielder.
Chelsea-Fermin-Lopez
Chelsea apparently view the Spain international as someone capable of transforming their midfield and providing the creative spark desperately lacking this season.
Chelsea also believe Fermín is someone capable of addressing their midfield imbalances, with the 22-year-old offering box-to-box capabilities alongside a genuine goal threat centrally.
As such, the Premier League giants are now prepared to make a bid approaching £130 million — a move which would smash their transfer record.
Fermin Lopez
Fermin played a key role under Hansi Flick last season as Barça gazumped Real Madrid to the La Liga title, and he's been just as influential this term with 16 goal contributions in just 20 total appearances already.
The La Masia academy graduate is on course to smash his tally of goals and assists from last season, where he was still just as influential in a Barça side that was transformed by Flick's arrival.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente is also a massive admirer of Fermin, calling him an "extraordinary kid with exceptional energy”, and his numbers certainly reflect a La Liga sensation on the rise.
Chelsea were reliably believed to be attempting a deal for Fermin last summer too, only for him to commit to the Camp Nou instead, but it seems they have no intention on giving up.
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The west Londoners have held discussions with intermediaries.