Chelsea spent heavily during the summer transfer window as they continued to reshape the squad under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The Blues reportedly invested around £277.1 million on new arrivals, with Morgan Rogers, Valentin Barco, Maxence Lacroix and Emi Martinez among the players brought through the door.
Chelsea also raised significant funds through player sales, but their spending may not be finished just yet. The club are reportedly preparing a huge January move for a Barcelona midfielder.
Chelsea preparing huge Fermin Lopez bid
Chelsea have reportedly given Alonso the go-ahead to pursue a deal worth around €120 million (£103 million) for Barcelona star Fermin Lopez.
The 23-year-old is being considered as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who Chelsea allowed to join Manchester City in a deal worth around £125 million.
According to reports in Spain from El Nacional, as relayed by Football 365, Chelsea have now identified Fermin as a major target and are prepared to make an ambitious attempt to bring him to Stamford Bridge in January.
Barcelona are unlikely to welcome the approach, with head coach Hansi Flick viewing Fermin as an important part of his plans and previously describing the midfielder as “special”.
However, a bid in the region of €120 million could reportedly tempt the Catalan club into considering a sale.
Fermin has continued to establish himself at Barcelona, making Chelsea’s potential pursuit a difficult one. If the Blues do follow through with their reported plans, it could become one of the biggest transfer stories of the January window.
