Chelsea Launch Swap Deal Bid for Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez
Chelsea propose swapping Christopher Nkunku for Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez in a summer move, but Barcelona have turned down the offer as Nkunku’s future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain.
Chelsea have made a bold move in the summer transfer window by offering Barcelona a swap deal to bring Fermin Lopez to Stamford Bridge. The 22-year-old Spanish midfielder, who has impressed this season, is valued at around €60 million (£50.6 million) by the La Liga giants.
Lopez, a versatile player, can operate as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, and even as a left winger. During the 2024-25 campaign, he played a key role for Barcelona, contributing to five goal involvements in 11 Champions League games as the club reached the semi-finals. In La Liga, he made 28 appearances, scoring six goals and providing five assists. A product of Barcelona’s famous academy, Lopez is highly regarded at the club.
Chelsea’s proposal includes offering Christopher Nkunku as part of the deal. Nkunku, 27, joined Chelsea two years ago for £52 million from RB Leipzig but has struggled with injuries and limited playing time. He has made 56 appearances, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists but has mostly been a backup to Chelsea’s main striker Nicolas Jackson.
However, Barcelona has already rejected Chelsea’s swap deal offer. According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick values Lopez and considers him an important player despite his lower goal-scoring numbers compared to Nkunku. Barcelona would only be willing to sell Lopez if the player himself requests a move, as he competes with Dani Olmo for a starting spot in midfield.
Meanwhile, Nkunku’s future at Chelsea looks uncertain. After expressing his desire to leave in the summer, he has attracted interest from clubs such as Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Tottenham, who have reportedly made an initial approach. Liverpool have also been linked with the French midfielder. With Chelsea signing young striker Liam Delap, Nkunku’s chances of staying seem slim.
This swap deal may not have worked out yet, but Chelsea’s search for midfield and attacking reinforcements is far from over. Both clubs will keep assessing their options ahead of the busy summer transfer window. Fans will be watching closely to see if this high-profile swap deal could be revived or if new opportunities will emerge for both players.
