Chelsea have submitted a €40 million (£34.5m) bid to sign Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, according to reports.
Enzo Maresca’s side completed a £40m deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United on Saturday but are still looking to bolster the squad before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Chelsea have been in contact with Fermin’s agents to gauge the 22-year-old’s desire to swap Barcelona for Stamford Bridge.
Reports this week have also claimed that Maresca has spoken with Fermin about joining Chelsea.
According to The Guardian, Chelsea have followed up their interest with a €40m (£34.5m) offer to Barcelona.
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However, Barcelona are holding out for a fee of €90m (£77.9m) and there is a belief that Chelsea would need a bid in excess of €60m (£51.9m) to secure a deal.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have not completely closed the door on Fermin’s exit as a significant transfer fee would ease their financial concerns.
Speaking on Saturday, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick reiterated his desire to keep Fermin at Camp Nou.
‘At the moment he is here,’ Flick said.
‘I spoke with him. I’m convinced that he will stay, but at the end I don’t know what happens. We have to wait. I am really happy when the market is closed.
‘I told him my opinion, but it’s between him and me. Sometimes players have other thoughts. Around the players are also a lot of people, who know maybe more than we know.
‘It’s a big business. I have to focus on my team and I am really happy Fermín plays for Barça. He’s a really important player for us. He showed that last season. His style is different to other players. He can help us a lot.’
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