Chelsea are never far from the hottest transfer targets in Europe, and they were heavily linked to two Barcelona stars over the summer.
Chelsea haven’t needed much in the way of additions to the midfield. They made significant investment in those areas in recent seasons, specifically two £100 million+ deals for Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
The summer just gone saw much more focus on forward signings, but they were looking at adding something different to the middle of the park.
Links emerged to Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez, two La Masia products who are on the fringes of Hansi Flick’s first team. One of those young talents will remain on Chelsea’s radar in the coming seasons, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea remain keen on Fermin Lopez
When it became clear that Xavi Simons would not be coming to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea turned their attention to another exciting midfield technician, Fermin Lopez.
A £35 million offer made to Barca would not come close to moving the needle, and the Catalan club didn’t even bother responding. They see Lopez’s worth as being double that.
Maresca is very fond of Lopez, and would be willing to give him a leading role in the team. And Romano has confirmed this in a recent transfer update.
He reveals: “The player Chelsea like at Barcelona remains Fermin Lopez. He’s a player they love at Chelsea because they see potential in Fermin Lopez to cover several positions.
“Chelsea believe that the player can develop into something even more special in the future. And so if Chelsea sent a bid in the final days of the transfer window in the summer for Fermin Lopez, it’s because they wanted to show ambition. They wanted to try.”
But Lopez’s head wasn’t turned.
He wants to remain in Barcelona for the time being, although that won’t stop the Blues from revisiting: “Fermin Lopez remains and will remain on Chelsea’s list for the next years, but at the moment he wants to stay at Barcelona and there are no active discussions or negotiations.”
Marc Casado links wide of the mark
As well as Lopez, Chelsea were linked with defensive midfielder Marc Casado, though those discussions weren’t as advanced as previously thought.
As Romano explains: “I’m not aware of Chelsea being active in discussions in negotiations for Marc Casado at this stage.
“Appreciating a player is one thing. Starting discussions is another thing. I think all the clubs in Europe appreciate a player like Casado is very good. But it doesn’t mean that Chelsea started any concrete negotiation.”
A move for Casado makes less sense with the depth Chelsea already have in the deeper midfield role. Moises Caicedo’s form has exploded, and Romeo Lavia is an able deputy returning from injury.
Lopez is the man Chelsea want, and though he was assured in his decision to stay at the Spanish club, his mind may change if he continues to be deprived of decent minutes. Definitely one to watch next summer.
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