Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has reportedly spoken directly with Barcelona midfielder Fermin López as the Blues explore a potential late-window move.
According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Chelsea held further talks on Thursday with the 22-year-old, with initial club-to-club contact also taking place. Barcelona value López at €60m (£60m+), a figure Chelsea are currently reluctant to match.
Spanish reports earlier this week indicated the Premier League club had only been in discussions with the player’s representatives.
However, the latest development signals growing intent from Chelsea, although nothing is close or guaranteed at this stage.
López, who signed a new Barcelona contract in October 2024 that runs until 2029, enjoyed a breakthrough campaign under Hansi Flick.
Despite a thigh injury that sidelined him for over a month, he made 46 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists as Barça won La Liga.
A graduate of La Masia, López joined Barcelona from Real Betis at age 12 and rose through the ranks before making his senior breakthrough. He has already earned two caps for Spain, scoring 11 goals in 43 matches the previous season.
Barcelona remain well stocked in midfield with Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Marc Casado, and the soon-to-return Marc Bernal, but are holding firm on their valuation.
For Chelsea, López is among several creative midfield targets.
The club have already added six players under Maresca this summer, but Dário Essugo is the only midfield signing, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu all leaving permanently.
The Blues are also reshaping their squad elsewhere. Earlier today, Chelsea agreed a deal with AC Milan for Christopher Nkunku after two years at the club, while agreeing to bring in Garnacho from Manchester United.
They are also pursuing RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons and working on permanent or temporary exits for Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi and Tyrique George.
