Both Chelsea and Barcelona are expected to be active in the summer transfer window, but the Blues have suffered a blow to their plans thanks to the La Liga champions
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, appears dejected at the end of the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Chelsea FC at Portman Road on December 30, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Chelsea have seen a swap offer rejected by Barcelona dealing a blow to Enzo Maresca's plans
(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Barcelona have rejected a sensational swap deal that would have seen their star Fermin Lopez and Chelsea's Christoper Nkunku exchange clubs. Both sides are expected to be active in this summer's transfer window and are looking to strengthen ahead of next season.
Barca will be looking to defend their La Liga and Copa del Rey titles, while Chelsea will be hoping to build on their qualification for the Champions League.
Nkunku has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since his arrival in 2023. The Blues paid RB Leipzig a fee of £52million to sign the Frenchman, but his debut campaign was severly disrupted by injury. This term he has fallen behind Nicolas Jackson in the pecking order, starting just nine Premier League games.
Nkunku had built a reputation for being one of Europe's most promising attackers during his time with Leipzig. His standing has taken a knock since he moved to London though, with Chelsea having added Liam Delap to their squad already this summer.
With Delap arriving for £30m from Ipswich, the Blues are ready to see Nkunku depart. Despite him having four years to run on his contract, Chelsea chiefs are shopping the attacker around to rival clubs.
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According to Mundo Deportivo, one of those clubs was Barca. It is said that Chelsea proposed a swap deal, with Nkunku and Lopez exchanging clubs, as Blues boss Enzo Maresca is a big fan of the attacking midfielder.
While Barca are keen to add a striker to their squad this summer, the La Liga champions 'flatly rejected' the offer. Both club president Joan Laporta and manager Hansi Flick are in agreement on that decision.
Lopez has been something of a perfect 12th man for Barca under Flick, appearing in 46 matches albeit mostly as a substitute in their biggest games, scoring eight goals and notching eight assists as they won the Spanish double. Flick is also not a fan of Nkunku so was happy to reject the deal.
Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Tuesday February 25, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. Photo credit should read: John Walton/PA Wire.
The Blues offered Christopher Nkunku to the La Liga champions
In fact, Barca would only be open to selling Lopez if the player himself requests a transfer. That is a situation that the club are prepared for, with the midfielder hoping for a place in Spain's squad for next summer's World Cup.
But with Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Pedri and Raphinha ahead of him in the pecking order, he may well need to move on. Former Chelsea star John-Obi Mikel has urged the Blues to part with Nkunku.
He told GiveMeSport: “Injuries haven’t helped and you can see he doesn’t like being played out of position. He’s not a striker, he’s a number ten. But of course, when you have [Cole] Palmer in that position, you can’t just take him out the side.
“It’s time to sell Nkunku, get some money and then invest in a wide attacker. I am not so sure replacing Nkunku with another striker is wise because it’s not good to have three established strikers all fighting for one position.”
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