Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has revealed that he was never tempted to leave the club this summer despite strong interest from Chelsea. The Premier League side made a late push to sign the Spain international in the final days of the transfer window, but Lopez remained committed to staying at Camp Nou.
Chelsea submitted a €40 million bid for the 22-year-old after switching focus from Xavi Simons. However, Barcelona were clear in their stance, valuing Lopez closer to £78 million and showing no willingness to negotiate. The Blues did not return with an improved offer, and Lopez ultimately stayed put.
While no formal talks were held between Chelsea and Barcelona, sources suggest the West London club held multiple conversations with Lopez’s agent. Head coach Enzo Maresca is even believed to have spoken with the player directly on more than one occasion.
Fermin Lopez insists Barcelona future was never in doubt
Despite the interest from Stamford Bridge, Lopez has now confirmed that his plan was always to continue with Barcelona. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the midfielder described Chelsea’s attention as flattering but reaffirmed his loyalty to his boyhood club.
“It’s always a compliment when there’s interest from other clubs,” Lopez said. “But the truth is, I always had the idea of staying at Barça and being able to succeed here.”
The versatile playmaker, who can feature centrally or on either flank, is part of Barcelona’s long-term vision and is expected to play a key role under Xavi. His decision to stay comes amid a transitional period at the Catalan club, where young talent is being prioritised.
Chelsea pivot to Facundo Buonanotte on deadline day
Following the collapse of their move for Lopez, Chelsea turned to Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte. The 20-year-old Argentina international joined on a season-long loan without an option to buy. He is expected to serve as cover for Cole Palmer in the number ten role and can also operate on the right wing.
Buonanotte spent last season at Leicester City, where he scored six goals and provided three assists across 35 appearances. He is set to make his Chelsea debut against Brentford after the international break, stepping in as a short-term solution to bolster the club’s attacking depth.
While Lopez was viewed as a long-term addition, Chelsea’s pragmatic shift to Buonanotte reflects the urgency and constraints of deadline-day decisions. Whether the club returns for the Barcelona talent in future windows remains to be seen.
