The final week of any summer window usually throws up some wild stories, and Chelsea’s interest in signing Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez has intensified as a transfer rumour in the past 24 hours.
Enzo Maresca’s side have been extremely active this summer, both with incomings and outgoings, but they may not be done yet.
Chelsea want Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons as late signings, but their recent focus has been on selling players to help balance the books.
However, Barcelona star Fermin Lopez, 22, has appeared as a firm Blues target this week.
It’s been claimed that Chelsea have launched an offer to sign Lopez, submitting a bid worth around €50m (£43m) for the Barcelona attacking midfielder. Apparently, the La Liga champions are now mulling it over.
In addition, Chelsea have offered Lopez a key role in their team if he joins, which is some promise to the Spain international given all the talent and competition already at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona fans desperate not to sell Fermin Lopez to Chelsea
Barcelona supporters are on the same page when it comes to Lopez’s future. It is quite clear that they don’t want their academy graduate to be sold, especially to Chelsea.
Here are Barcelona fans on X discussing the transfer speculation around their 22-year-old star.
One fan wrote: “Nope. Not allowed. Do not dare sell Fermin.”
“This would be a disaster for Barcelona to sell this young player,” another commented.
One supporter claimed: “Fermin is our future. Please don’t sell.”
“If we sell a player with so much potential then we are not gonna make it with this crop of management,” another said.
Lopez, who’s been with Barcelona’s academy since 2016, has emerged as an important first-team player at the Camp Nou recently. He’s done enough to attract the interest of Chelsea in the Premier League.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards | Red cards |
| 89 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 1 |
Lopez, who usually plays as an attacking midfielder or on the wing, is a technically gifted footballer with a lot of talent. At 22, he may only just be getting started as well.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is prioritising a new left-winger this summer, so we’re sceptical about the chances of the Barcelona ace ending up in West London.
Chelsea’s best-ever signing from Barcelona
Chelsea have signed plenty of players directly from Spanish giants Barcelona over the years, including the likes of Pedro and Marc Guiu.
However, the Blues paid £30m (BBC) in 2014 to sign Cesc Fabregas, who was 27 at the time, from Barcelona. It must go down as one of the best signings in Chelsea’s history, too.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Trophies |
| 198 | 22 | 57 | 5 |
The retired midfielder was outstanding during his five-year spell in West London, winning five trophies as a Chelsea player.
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