Spanish reports claim Barcelona value midfielder Fermin López at £60 million, a figure Chelsea are unwilling to meet as they weigh up a potential move for the 22-year-old.
While there is no club-to-club contact at this stage, Chelsea are in discussions with López’s representatives as they explore attacking midfield options ahead of possible late-window exits.
The Premier League side have already added six players under Enzo Maresca this summer, but Dário Essugo remains the only midfield signing, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu among those to depart permanently.
López, who signed a new Barcelona contract in October 2024 that runs until 2029, has impressed in his breakthrough years at the Camp Nou.
Despite a thigh injury that sidelined him for over a month last season, he made 46 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists as Hansi Flick’s side lifted the La Liga title.
A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, López first joined from Real Betis at the age of 12 and spent time on loan with Linares in the Spanish third tier before establishing himself in Xavi’s first team.
He went on to score 11 goals in 43 appearances during the 2023-24 season, and last summer made his senior Spain debut, earning two caps for the European champions.
Barcelona are considered well stocked in central midfield with Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, Marc Casado and Gavi among Flick’s options.
Highly rated youngster Marc Bernal is also set to return from a long-term ACL injury, further intensifying competition for places.
For Chelsea, López remains a name under evaluation, but his £60m valuation makes a deal unlikely unless circumstances change before the window closes.
Meanwhile, the Blues still have more business to take care of in the market: they have agreed a deal with AC Milan for Christopher Nkunku, continue to pursue RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, and are playing a waiting game over Nicolas Jackson’s future.
Chelsea are also working on exits for Axel Disasi, Tyrique George and Raheem Sterling.
