Chelsea are preparing a fresh approach in January for Fermin Lopez with an €80 million offer for the Barcelona star in the works.

According to Fichajes, Chelsea are considering making a huge offer in the region of €80 million for 22-year-old Barcelona whizkid Fermin Lopez. The Blues were unable to convince the player or the Spanish giants over a move late in the summer window, but they are ready for a fresh approach in January.

Fermin Lopez emerged as a target for Chelsea in the latter stages of the window, as the club tried to move on from their other targets. For instance, the Blues wanted to bring Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons as their key attacking targets before the deadline, but only got the Argentine, while the Dutchman eventually joined Tottenham.

Chelsea considered an attacking midfielder as a priority before the deadline, as they probably viewed Simons and Garnacho as similar profiles. Hence, they accelerated in the pursuit of Lopez and made an offer that did not suit Barcelona, who might have been slightly open to selling amid their troubles with the club’s finances and player registrations.

Despite the report stating Chelsea lodged a €70 million bid, as per Fabrizio Romano, their offer was around the €40 million mark. However, as the deadline approached, the Blues ruled out a move for the 22-year-old Barcelona whizkid and instead focused on signing Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton.

Chelsea signed Buonanotte on a season-long loan deal without a buy option, which might suggest they have only plugged a gap in their squad with that signing. Meanwhile, they are potentially thinking about returning to the table for Lopez in the January window, as a fresh approach has been planned, as per the report.

Chelsea to make a new Fermin Lopez offer

The report claims that Chelsea are willing to put down €80 million to test Barcelona’s resolve on Lopez, and try to convince the playmaker over a move. Fabrizio Romano’s post ran comments from Lopez over his future, and he said, “I see myself completing my contract until 2029 at Barcelona. I don’t want to leave”. “I love this club”.

Those words state what was obvious during the summer, as Lopez loves Barcelona and would like to forge a stellar career with the club. Coming through the La Masia academy, he already has a good role with Hansi Flick’s side, and hence, Chelsea may find it difficult to prise him away, certainly in the January window.