Chelsea keeps insisting on acquiring Fermín López, one of the standout sensations at FC Barcelona in the last season. The Andalusian midfielder has caught the attention of several European giants thanks to his boldness, technical quality, and ability to appear at key moments. Meanwhile, in London, they're looking for ways to convince the Catalan club to let him leave.
At Stamford Bridge, they're aware of the potential the young Barça academy graduate has and want to get ahead of other offers. That's why the "blue" board has already put several proposals on the table to try to unlock a negotiation that, for now, seems very complicated due to Barça's stance.
A star offered, surprising swap
Chelsea's latest move has been especially striking: proposing a direct swap between Fermín López and Christopher Nkunku, a talented 27-year-old French striker. The operation would involve valuing both footballers as part of the deal, instead of a cash offer like those previously considered.
However, the response from Camp Nou has left no room for doubt. Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick agree that Fermín is untouchable and isn't included in any exit scenario. In addition, the sporting department believes that Nkunku doesn't fit Barça's current needs, which prioritizes other offensive profiles such as Luis Díaz to strengthen the squad.
The only condition for Fermín to leave Barça
At Barça, they'd only consider listening to offers for Fermín López if the player himself requested to leave, something that hasn't happened so far. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, it's understandable that the footballer values getting minutes to keep growing. But for now, he keeps his total commitment to the club where he was developed.
Chelsea's proposal, although ambitious, hasn't changed Barça's roadmap. Flick is convinced that Fermín must be a pillar of the medium-term project. Therefore, barring a major surprise, he'll keep counting on him as one of his personal bets for the next season.
This firmness from Barça with Fermín López reflects a clear strategy in managing its squad. At the club, the priority is to secure young talents from La Masia and avoid past mistakes with players who ended up shining far from Camp Nou. With Joan Laporta at the helm and Hansi Flick determined to bet on young footballers, the club seeks to build a solid project around figures like Fermín López.