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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2025-26 season (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea have launched a swap deal offer to sign Barcelona star Fermin Lopez in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The La Liga champions are believed to have slapped a €60m (£50.6m) price tag on the 22-year-old Spain international.
Lopez has mainly operated as an attacking midfielder and central midfielder but can also be deployed as a left winger.
He registered five goal involvements across 11 Champions League games for Barcelona in the 2024-25 season as the club reached the semi-finals.
Lopez, who came through Barcelona’s academy, also played 28 times in the Spanish top-flight in 2024-25, producing six goals and five assists.
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Chelsea are keen to bring Lopez to Stamford Bridge and Mundo Deportivo reports that they’ve offered up Christopher Nkunku as part of a swap deal.
How have Barcelona responded to the offer?
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Fermin Lopez is rated highly by Barcelona manager Hansi Flick (Picture: Getty)
The Spanish outlet adds that Barcelona have already rejected the swap deal proposal – despite the Catalan club being in need of a new striker.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick views Lopez as an important player – and despite not being a goalscorer – he has almost equalled Nkunku’s figures.
It is thought Barcelona would only be willing to sell Fermin if he asks to leave the club in search of more playing time, with the player currently battling Dani Olmo for regular minutes in the attacking midfield role.
Christopher Nkunku looks set for Chelsea exit
Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku (left) celebrates scoring their side's fifth goal of the game during the Carabao Cup third round match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 24, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. Photo credit should read: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Christopher Nkunku looks set for the exit door after Liam Delap’s arrival (Picture: PA)
A move to Barcelona is off the cards for now – but Nkunku still looks set for a Chelsea exit this summer – especially after the Blues signed Liam Delap.
In April, Nkunku told Chelsea he wanted to leave in the summer transfer window after receiving interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Last week, it was reported that Tottenham had made an initial approach to sign the 27-year-old Frenchman.
Premier League champions Liverpool have also been linked with Nkunku in the summer transfer window.
Nkunku has only been at Chelsea for two years, joining the west London club in a £52m deal from German side RB Leipzig.
His spell with the Blues has been largely impacted by injury issues but he’s managed 56 appearances to date, conjuring up 17 goals and five assists.
Nkunku has mainly operated as a back-up option for Chelsea’s main striker Nicolas Jackson.
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