Chelsea and Manchester United were ready to fork out €80 million to sign 22-year-old Spanish international Fermin Lopez from Barcelona before Hansi Flick vetoed his exit.

According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Chelsea and Manchester United have been keen on signing Fermin Lopez from Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The two Premier League bigwigs submitted bids worth €80 million to secure the Spanish playmaker’s services.

However, Hansi Flick has vetoed his exit, with the Barcelona manager not ready to part ways with the Spaniard in the summer transfer window. While many decision-makers at the Catalan club were willing to sanction the youngster’s departure, the German tactician wanted to keep the player in his squad.

The rise and rise of Fermin Lopez

Fermin Lopez has become a household name since breaking into the first-team squad at FC Barcelona nearly two years ago. The youngster is on the cusp of becoming a regular starter for the Blaugrana, and he has come leaps and bounds under Hansi Flick. The Spaniard has amassed 19 goals and 11 assists in 89 appearances thus far for Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Lopez has also enjoyed success in international football by winning the Olympic gold medal with Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Additionally, he has broken into his national squad. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old playmaker’s progress has captured the attention of several Premier League bigwigs, with Chelsea and Manchester United among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.

Premier League move on the horizon?

Chelsea’s interest in Fermin Lopez is baffling. With Cole Palmer excelling as the first-choice no. 10, the Blues do not need another option for the position. Additionally, Chelsea will aim to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig before the summer transfer window shuts down. Therefore, it is unclear how the Barcelona playmaker fits into the scheme at Stamford Bridge.

As for Manchester United, while the Red Devils have signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the summer transfer window, Ruben Amorim can do with more firepower in the final third. So, the Barcelona playmaker is a viable target for Manchester United, and they have been ready to fork out €80 million to sign the Barcelona playmaker.

However, the 22-year-old Spanish international has been unwilling to leave Barcelona anytime soon, and Hansi Flick has vetoed his exit. While many decision-makers at the Catalan club were ready to sanction the youngster’s departure, the German tactician wanted to keep the player in his squad. So, Chelsea and Manchester United must look elsewhere for a central attacker.