Chelsea have now opened talks with the representatives of Barcelona star Fermin Lopez, which comes as a shock amid their long-winded pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.
Enzo Maresca‘s aspect, amid their determined bid to dump the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku to make room of their squad, opened negotiations over signing Simons weeks in the past.
Negotiations for the Dutchman have been ongoing ever since, and regardless of some stories on the contrary, a full settlement with Leipzig nonetheless hasn’t been reached.
Simply 5 days stay till the switch window shuts on September 1, and Maresca was believed to be prioritising offers for each Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho and the 22-year-old earlier than the deadline.
Nonetheless, stories that Barca’s Lopez has emerged as a concrete goal throughout this ultimate stretch have prompted many questions.
The Spaniard, who has change into a star beneath Hansi Flick, has been approached by Chelsea because the Blues attain out to his camp, based on a number of dependable sources, with Chelsea now eyeing a late transfer for Lopez who’d come as an alternative choice to Simons.
The 22-year-old made 46 appearances in all competitions final time period – scoring eight objectives and bagging 10 assists – together with a brace of purpose contributions towards Bayern Munich within the Champions League.
His high quality is just about simple, as is the notion that he’d present Maresca with a critical playmaking improve who’s additionally able to taking part in on the left-wing.
Chelsea’s plan for Xavi Simons after opening talks with Fermin Lopez
Some on-lookers might assume from Chelsea’s contact that they’re shifting on to Lopez after contacting his entourage, however that apparently is not the case.
In keeping with journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea try to place strain on Leipzig to promote Simons by approaching Lopez, with the Bundesliga sensation very a lot nonetheless their precedence proper now.
“Chelsea do have an curiosity in Fermin Lopez of Barcelona and so they may simply divert to him as a switch goal this week,” mentioned Phillips, through his Substack.
“Nonetheless, as of proper now, Xavi Simons continues to be the precedence goal for that place. Chelsea are nonetheless engaged on getting that deal completed. We heard yesterday from one in all our sources that Chelsea exhibiting an curiosity and talking to the agent of Lopez is to place strain on the Simons deal.
“It’s not a smokescreen as such, as a result of Chelsea have appreciated Lopez for some time. However as of proper now, Simons is the one they wish to get nonetheless. It might probably change quick and Chelsea may push extra for Lopez ought to they resolve to do this if Simons shouldn’t be doable for no matter purpose – however proper now that has not occurred.”
If Chelsea do flip their attentions totally in the direction of Lopez, the asking worth is believed to be round £60 million.
