Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are both interested in a January move for Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, with around £68m (€80m) being offered for the Spain international.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has long-standing admirers in West London and Paris and both clubs could make a move when the winter window opens, according to Sports Mole’s CaughtOffside report.
It is reported that Arsenal and Manchester United are also interested in him. Barcelona, however, locked him down until June 2031 and the player himself never sounded like he was looking for an exit.
Are Chelsea and PSG ready to bid for Fermin Lopez?
CaughtOffside’s information comes from an agent source who claims PSG are preparing a serious offer worth around €80m (£68m). Chelsea are said to be considering a big offer.
It is not yet known what Fermin Lopez thinks about all this. The report describes both clubs as long-standing contenders rather than newcomers.
For the Blues, it’s another midfield name on a busy list. This week they have also been linked with the 20-year-old Monaco striker, who is also wanted by PSG, so the two clubs continue to clash in the market.
Fermin Lopez’s numbers and Dani Olmo’s problem
Form is not the issue. Fermin Lopez has five goals and four assists in 12 games this season, eight of which have come as a starter, which is a healthy return for a player who doesn’t always start games.
This last detail is key. Under Hansi Flick, he is competing with Dani Olmo for the attacking midfield role at Barcelona, and a player with those numbers in his twenties would want more than eight starts in 12 appearances.
Nevertheless, no one should mistake the land race for misfortune. Barcelona is Fermin López’s boyhood club and this tie is the biggest obstacle facing Chelsea and PSG.
Fermin Lopez already said “forever”.
“Manchester United” discovered this in March. When their interest was revealed, Fermin Lopez said he would stay in Barcelona “forever”and that was the end of the conversation.
Corruption is money. Barcelona want to keep him, but the club’s financial difficulties mean they may have to sell players in 2027, and a big enough offer could at least make them consider it.
For now, the report still describes a move as unlikely, and with a contract that runs until 2031, Barcelona hold every card in any negotiations.
Is Fermin Lopez’s move to Chelsea worth pursuing?
I can understand why Chelsea are tempted. At 23, with nine goals in 12 games, the Spain international fits exactly the type of signing the Blues are looking to make, and their Carabao Cup exit on penalties at Anfield suggests there is no shortage of games that could benefit from a bit more creativity.
But for a player who has made it clear he wants to stay at Barcelona forever, £68m in January feels like a long shot. Barcelona are more likely to battle Olmo for Fermin López’s place than Chelsea and PSG for his signature, unless Barcelona’s finances get in the way.