Barcelona rejects €40 million offer from Chelsea for Fermín López and reaffirms confidence in La Masia

Chelsea’s €40 million offer for midfielder Fermín López has been rejected by Barcelona, who reaffirm their commitment to homegrown talent despite financial pressure.

Chelsea’s Attempt Blocked

Chelsea made a strong push to sign Fermín López, offering €40 million to Barcelona. The London club saw the 22-year-old as a solution to ease creative responsibility from Cole Palmer and strengthen Enzo Maresca’s midfield options.

However, Barcelona immediately declined the offer, making clear that López is non-transferable. The club currently values him closer to €90 million, almost double what Chelsea put on the table.

Barça Doubles Down on Homegrown Strategy

Despite financial struggles, Barcelona has maintained a firm stance: no sales of key La Masia prospects. The board, led by sporting director Deco, believes that giving up talents like Fermín would hurt the club’s long-term sporting project.

The midfielder, who renewed his contract in October 2023 until 2029, also showed no intention of forcing a move. His profile — high work rate, tactical flexibility, and box-arrival ability — is highly valued by coach Hansi Flick, who already has creative names such as Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, and Gavi at his disposal.

Chelsea Moves On With Alternative Signing

With negotiations blocked, Chelsea quickly turned to the market. The Blues finalized a loan deal for Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton, giving Maresca another option in attack without needing to commit to a high-cost transfer.

The failed pursuit of Fermín highlights Chelsea’s continued search for young, versatile playmakers, but also Barcelona’s clear priority: betting on La Masia as the backbone of the future.