Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca embrace in the Premier League.placeholder image
Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca embrace in the Premier League. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal and Chelsea will hope their summer business is not yet done
We are fast approaching the business end of the summer transfer window, as clubs look to make the final touches to their squads ahead of the new Premier League season.
Meanwhile for Enzo Maresca’s Blues, Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap have joined in attacking areas as the Stamford Bridge outfit look to build on winning the Club World Cup, which has increased many fans’ hopes and expectations for the new season. One potential transfer target for both Chelsea and Arsenal has emerged in recent days as the pair may go head-to-head off the pitch before they soon enough face off on it.
Man United ready to make bid for Chelsea and Arsenal target
Reported by Sebastien Vidal on X, Manchester United are preparing a £61million (€70m) bid for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, while Chelsea and Arsenal have ‘made enquiries’ about the 22-year-old.
The report states that Barca want to keep their La Masia graduate but will not rule out a sale if a substantial offer arrives due to their long-standing financial difficulties. Amidst the uncertainty over whether the club may need to sell players, offers for Lopez may materialise with Arsenal and Chelsea both keeping a keen interest.
Fermin registered eight goals and 10 assists last campaign and is nearing 100 appearances for Barca, having broken into the first-team squad under Xavi in 2023/24. A Premier League move for the Spain international would be a major surprise considering he has a €500m release clause and four years remaining on his current deal.
‘Under any circumstance’ - Hansi Flick makes Fermin Lopez stance clear
With rumours growing that Barcelona are braced for Premier League bids for Lopez, manager Hansi Flick has made his stance on selling the midfielder clear. He does not want to lose him ‘under any circumstance’, cite Football365 from reports in Spain. Flick views Fermin as an important part of his side and has reportedly informed the Barca hierarchy that he does not want to lose him for €70m or ‘any other amount’.
This understandably throws a spanner in the works of a potential Arsenal or Chelsea approach for the United target, though they may try their hand regardless in case the Catalan club decide a huge offer for Fermin, who is one of their many top La Masia graduates in recent years, proves too good to turn down.
Fermin scored a decisive goal at Espanyol to secure Barca the La Liga title last season, and Flick had glowing praise for the player: “In the end, with a clean sheet and of course, with Lamine [Yamal] and Fermin, it’s great to have these young players at this level, they also decide games and the championship,” he said.
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