Chelsea tempt Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez with €50m bid, guaranteed role

Barcelona may be forced into a reluctant sale before Monday’s transfer deadline, with Chelsea making a €50m offer for midfielder Fermin Lopez.

The Catalan club still need to register Gerard Martin, Wojciech Szczesny, and Roony Bardghji, and offloading Fermin would ease their financial strain while opening room for a defensive signing.

Though head coach Hansi Flick initially blocked the 22-year-old’s exit, Spanish outlet RAC1 reports that Fermin is now weighing up Chelsea’s proposal, which includes a guaranteed starting spot.

The Spain international, who currently competes with Dani Olmo in Barcelona’s midfield, has quickly established himself since breaking into the first team two years ago.

Barcelona are prepared to sanction the move if Fermin signals his desire to leave, though such a departure would come as a major surprise given his recent impact.