Some big transfer news to rock the Barcelona world: reigning Club World Cup champions Chelsea are interested in signing midfielder Fermín López from the Blaugrana and have already made initial contact with the player’s camp, according to the ultra-reliable David Ornstein of The Athletic.
Ornstein says there has been no direct contact between clubs as Chelsea first want to understand Fermín’s perspective on his situation in Catalonia. From Chelsea’s view there is major competition for places in the Barça midfield, and the Blues are sensing a big opportunity given the Blaugrana’s necessity to make a big sale to balance their books.
Flick said last week that he doesn’t want Fermín or anyone else to leave, and López himself has been very vocal about his desire to stay. But Chelsea have the pockets to offer Fermín a major salary upgrade, and that worked with another young, promising Barça player — Marc Guiu — just last summer.
This will be a fascinating story to watch.
