Chelsea have submitted an official €40m bid to Barcelona for midfielder Fermín López, according to Fabrizio Romano on Saturday afternoon.
The written proposal was lodged shortly after the Blues’ 2-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League, as Enzo Maresca continues to push for midfield reinforcements.
The Blues have tracked the Spanish midfielder for several days and finally moved forward with a formal approach. Romano reports that the West London club are now awaiting Barcelona’s response after tabling their opening offer.
Barcelona, however, are holding firm. The Catalan club maintain they have no plans to sell Fermín this summer and continue to view him as an important part of their first-team squad under Hansi Flick.
The only possible scenario that could see a transfer materialise is if the player himself pushes for an exit.
Chelsea’s move comes after the club were unable to secure another long-term target, Xavi Simons.
The Netherlands international joined London rivals Tottenham from RB Leipzig earlier this month, forcing the Blues to shift their attention elsewhere in midfield.
Although Chelsea are close to finalising a deal for Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte, Maresca is still keen to add López given the injury crisis building at Stamford Bridge. The head coach confirmed after the Fulham match that striker Liam Delap could be out for “weeks” with a hamstring injury, while Nicolas Jackson’s loan to Bayern Munich further reduces attacking options.
That leaves Joao Pedro as the only senior striker available, with academy graduate Tyrique George deputising against Fulham.
Maresca admitted he is worried his side could be “light” heading into a demanding run of fixtures, making further reinforcements a priority.
Fermín, a product of La Masia, broke into Barcelona’s senior side last season and impressed with his energy, pressing, and ability to score from midfield.
His rise has made him one of the most highly-rated young talents in Spain and a player the Blaugrana are reluctant to lose.
