Chelsea offered Christopher Nkunku in the deal to sign Fermin Lopez from Barcelona in the summer transfer window, but the Catalan giants have rejected the proposal.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Fermin Lopez is the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a versatile playmaker in the summer transfer window. So, the 22-year-old Barcelona homegrown midfielder has emerged as a target for the West London outfit.

The FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League winners offered Christopher Nkunku, who wants to depart from Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window, in the deal to sign the Spaniard from Barcelona. However, the reigning La Liga champions have rejected Chelsea’s proposal, with Hansi Flick keen on keeping the youngster at the club.

Fermin Lopez and his rise

Fermin Lopez has established himself as one of the best young prospects since breaking into the first-team squad at FC Barcelona at the onset of the 2023/24 season. While the youngster has not been a first-choice starter for the Blaugrana in the last two years, he has become a pivotal figure for Hansi Flick’s team. The 22-year-old contributed to 18 goals in only 2,039 minutes of game time by finding the back of the net eight times and providing ten assists.

Meanwhile, Lopez’s exploits have helped him break into his national squad, and the Spanish international has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Recent reports have linked the Barcelona whizkid with many Premier League bigwigs, with Chelsea among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.

London calling?

Chelsea’s interest in Fermin Lopez is understandable. The Blues are scouring the market for a versatile playmaker, with Enzo Maresca demanding more offensive firepower despite signing Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap earlier in the summer transfer window.

Several candidates, including Xavi Simons, have emerged on Chelsea’s radar, with Lopez also a viable target. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup winners recently submitted a swap deal to Barcelona, including wantaway 27-year-old French attacker Christopher Nkunku in the arrangement to land the 22-year-old Spaniard.

However, the reigning La Liga champions have rejected Chelsea’s proposal, with Hansi Flick keen on keeping the Olympic gold medalist in his squad beyond the summer transfer window. So, the West London club must look elsewhere for a versatile playmaker this summer.