Chelsea abandon pursuit of key transfer target after failed £35m bid

Fermin Lopez is determined to stay on at Barcelona and Chelsea have given up hope of completing a deadline-day transfer deal for the attacking midfielder.

Chelsea have spent around £250million on new recruits in the summer transfer market, with Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr all signing on the dotted line at Stamford Bridge.

But the Blues remained interested in both Xavi Simons and Barca youngster Lopez heading into the final few days of window, despite already investing heavily in bolstering Enzo Maresca’s attack.

However, Simons would go on to sign for London rivals Tottenham in a £52m deal and Chelsea’s hopes of landing Lopez have faded completely, with the deadline fast approaching on the horizon.

Widespread reports last week claimed the Club World Cup winners had tested Barca’s resolve with an ambitious €40 million (£35m) offer for Lopez having approached the Spaniard’s camp over a proposed switch to west London.

According to The Athletic, though, Chelsea have now ‘opted against pursuing a move’ for Lopez and the 22-year-old is expected to remain at the Camp Nou.

Manchester United had also explored a possible move for Lopez earlier this summer, but the Red Devils decided to drop their pursuit to focus on other targets.

Barca head coach Hansi Flick has been adamant throughout that Lopez remains central to his plans and the player has always been reluctant to even consider a move away from Catalonia.

This is despite the fact Lopez was hauled off at half-time in Barca’s opening match of the campaign with Mallorca. The Spain international was then left as an unused substitute at Levante before coming on as a late replacement against Rayo Vallecano.

Lopez signed a new contract with the reigning La Liga champions last autumn, tying him to the club until June 2029.

In a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, Lopez poured cold water on rumours he could be set to leave Barcelona and urged fans to ‘rest easy’ over his future.

‘I want to stay here,’ Lopez said.

‘It’s my dream and I’ll stay. I’m happy to help the team.

‘Many things have been said, but I’m going to continue defending these colours and working as hard as anyone. The fans can rest easy.’

Lopez has been encouraged by Barcelona’s business across the summer and is pleased that Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s dispute with the club has now been resolved.

‘The new players are doing very well and they will help us a lot,’ Lopez added.

‘Marc is the first captain and we respect him a lot. What’s happened is external.’

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