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 facet, 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 experiences 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.
Nevertheless, experiences that Barca’s Lopez has emerged as a concrete goal throughout this remaining stretch have prompted many questions.
The Spaniard, who has turn 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 a substitute for Simons.
The 22-year-old made 46 appearances in all competitions final time period – scoring eight targets and bagging 10 assists – together with a brace of objective contributions in opposition to Bayern Munich within the Champions League.
His high quality is just about plain, as is the notion that he’d present Maresca with a severe playmaking improve who’s additionally able to enjoying on the left-wing.
Chelsea’s plan for Xavi Simons after opening talks with Fermin Lopez
Some on-lookers could 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 are trying to place stress 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,” stated Phillips, by way of his Substack.
“Nevertheless, as of proper now, Xavi Simons continues to be the precedence goal for that place. Chelsea are nonetheless engaged on getting that deal executed. We heard yesterday from one in all our sources that Chelsea exhibiting an curiosity and talking to the agent of Lopez is to place stress on the Simons deal.
“It’s not a smokescreen as such, as a result of Chelsea have favored Lopez for some time. However as of proper now, Simons is the one they wish to get nonetheless. It may change quick and Chelsea may push extra for Lopez ought to they resolve to do this if Simons just isn’t doable for no matter purpose – however proper now that has not occurred.”
If Chelsea do flip their attentions absolutely in direction of Lopez, the asking value is believed to be round £60 million.
