Chelsea are ready to table an offer in excess of €50 million as they look to sign Barcelona midfield sensation Fermin Lopez.

Having just clinched the FIFA Club World Cup title by defeating Champions League winners PSG in the final, Chelsea are now looking to further bolster their squad ahead of next season. While they have already made some blockbuster signings, they are now pushing for a few more.

Enzo Maresca is keen on adding more quality to his midfield, and according to a report from Fichajes, Chelsea are plotting a raid on Barcelona for Fermin Lopez. They consider him an ideal fit for their project and are willing to table an offer of over €50 million to try and lure him away from the Catalan giants.

Lopez has only gone from strength to strength since getting promoted to Barcelona’s first team in the summer of 2023. While he wasn’t a guaranteed starter under Hansi Flick last season, the 22-year-old certainly made quite a name for himself with his impressive performances.

He was involved in a total of 46 matches and racked up just over 2,000 minutes of first-team action. He contributed towards 18 goals, and his performances have put him on the radar of Chelsea. The Blues want more quality in the centre of the park, and they feel someone with Lopez’s quality and versatility could do wonders for them.

Barcelona to turn down Chelsea’s approach?

He still has four years left on his deal at Barcelona, and they have no intention of negotiating his departure. While they can’t guarantee him regular minutes in the short term, he is considered a key part of their long-term plans.

Both Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick agree that he can’t be sold and is someone who could be one of their pillars in the future. However, Chelsea are looking to make the most out of the fact that the Spanish giants can’t guarantee him a prominent role.

They are willing to make an offer of over €50 million and are convinced that the competition for places at Barcelona could open the door for a potential transfer. They are offering him an opportunity to be a part of an ambitious project and a leading role in the team.

For now, the Catalan giants’ stance is quite firm. However, things could change if they end up making an even bigger offer, as the Spanish club do need funds to balance their books.