TBR Football understands that Chelsea have held talks with Fermin Lopez, and the Spanish star is considering his options.
Lopez has four years left on his current deal with Barcelona, and he was an important part of Hansi Flick’s side last season – if not a regular starter, with the majority of his performances coming off the bench.
Although Enzo Maresca wants another central defender before the deadline, Chelsea are remaining active in the market and exploring all potential avenues to bolster the squad.
The Blues have recruited heavily in attack thus far, with the £60 million acquisition of Joao Pedro alongside Liam Delap and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-1 during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Lopez is considering his options, and Chelsea’s potential offer, which they have not yet made, could be tempting to the 22-year-old.
Sources have informed TBR Football that the Spanish international’s camp has also had conversations with Manchester City and Tottenham.
Exclusive: Chelsea are in ‘love’ with Fermin Lopez
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey revealed that although Chelsea are negotiating for multiple attacking players, the club is enticed by Lopez’s availability.
Bailey states: “Chelsea were made aware of Lopez possibly being available, and he is a player they love, indeed, most clubs in Europe love him as a talent.
“Lopez has not been agitating to this point, but the camp has been talking to other clubs, and that includes City and Spurs. Nothing advanced at this point, but merely exploring possible options.
RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - LaLiga EA Sports
Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
“Chelsea are in the market for a couple of attacking midfielders, as we know with talks advanced over Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho, but when someone of the talent of Lopez is potentially available – you have to take a look, and that is exactly what they have done.”
As TBR Football exclusively revealed, Simons and Garnacho have agreed terms with Chelsea after the club promised the pair they would both arrive at Stamford Bridge before the deadline.
Chelsea planned to sign Simons and Garnacho before the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace; however, the Blues are yet to agree on a transfer fee with the respective clubs.
And now with Simons the subject of enquiries from Manchester City and Bayern Munich, time is running out for the club to get those deals over the line.
Chelsea are in tough negotiations for Alejandro Garnacho
According to Bailey, negotiations for Garnacho are proving particularly difficult, with Chelsea unwilling to meet Manchester United’s demands.
It is worth noting that Chelsea agreed a cut-price deal for Jadon Sancho before that transfer collapsed due to wage demands – it is becoming clear the Blues are only willing to spend so much on their respective targets.
All three players would bring undoubted quality to the current crop at Stamford Bridge, and as suggested, Chelsea will only look to bring two more attackers into the squad.
Therefore, one will miss out on their move to the Blues, and with negotiations regarding transfer fees dragging on for both Simons and Garnacho, Lopez could be the one who arrives in West London in place of either player.