According to sources in Spain, coach Enzo Maresca twice called Fermin Lopez in order to attract Barca's attacking midfielder to Chelsea.
Chelsea has recruited 6 rookies in the summer transfer period of 2025, including Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr, all of them have signed an official contract at Stamford Bridge. But The Blues determined to strengthen the force ahead of time on September 1, when Xavi Simons of RB Leipzig and Barca's Lopez was still within the club's sights.
Simons is said to have reached an individual agreement with Chelsea and desire to promote movement to West London. However, the price of 70 million euros (£ 60.4 million) that Leipzig requested is still a big obstacle even though the negotiations are still being conducted.
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Coach Enzo Maresca called to convince Fermin Lopez to Chelsea. |
Meanwhile, Lopez has been the target of Chelsea for a while, when the FIFA Club World Cup champion first approached Barca in the early summer. Chelsea made an offer worth 50 million euros (£ 43.2 million) for Lopez – and the Barca leadership is said to be evaluating this proposal.
According to Cadena Cope, Barca's DECO sports director does not want to sell his star to go for less than 70 million euros (£ 60.4 million). The Spanish Radio believes that a move can be performed, but only when the Europa Conference League champion is ready to meet Barca's valuation for the Spanish player.
The La Liga champion knew that coach Enzo Maresca had talked to Lopez a few times to try to convince the 22 -year -old to sign a contract with Chelsea. Lopez did not want to leave, but the midfielder did not play a minute in the match against Levante, which made him reconsider his situation.
MU has also been contacted with Lopez in recent weeks, but the Old Trafford team has given up interest to focus on other goals. Lopez signed a new contract with the Camp Nou last fall, under which he will stick with the club until June 2029.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo earlier this month, Lopez rejected rumors that he could leave Barca and urge fans to be assured of his future.