Chelsea news: Barcelona star makes thoughts clear on transfer as Bayern enquiry emerges

Chelsea backed Enzo Maresca with a whopping £275million transfer splurge this summer, but one missed target has now commented on the club's interest.

The Blues also approved several departures, and Raheem Sterling could have been another exit. Chelsea's start to the season has been mixed. They are still undefeated in the Premier League, having won two and drawn two of their initial matches, the most recent being a 2-2 draw away at Brentford.

Their squad looks significantly different from last season, with new additions like Joao Pedro and Alejandro Garnacho. Fermin Lopez, a young talent from Barcelona, was another player on Chelsea's radar before the transfer window closed. However, he has now declared that he never contemplated leaving the Catalan giants.

Sterling remains a Chelsea player, although not in Maresca's plans, and he too was a subject of transfer speculation, with Bayern Munich reportedly interested as football.london brings you the latest news from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea target reveals transfer revelation

Lopez, a dynamic 22-year-old midfielder, has emerged as one of Barcelona's shining stars at such a tender age and attracted Chelsea's attention over the summer. A bid of £35million was reportedly tabled, and after losing out on long-term target Xavi Simons to rivals Tottenham, the Blues pushed for a move.

However, no such transfer came to fruition, and Lopez has remained at Barcelona. On Sunday, his team hosted Valencia and delivered a crushing victory, defeating them 6-0.

Lopez found the net twice, and when questioned post-match regarding Chelsea's supposed interest, he categorically stated that such a transfer was never a possibility.

"I never had any doubts," he told Movistar. "There is always speculation, but I always wanted to stay here, and I will fight to stay here for many years. The rest is all part of football."

Raheem Sterling's Bayern Munich escape route

After completing a loan spell with Arsenal last season, Sterling made his way back to Stamford Bridge earlier this year, with all indications suggesting a permanent departure was imminent. The 30-year-old struggled to make an impact at the Emirates and was reportedly valued at £20m during the summer window.

A potential switch that would have kept him in west London with Fulham was discussed, but no deadline-day deal materialised. He remains at Chelsea but is expected to receive limited opportunities under Maresca's management.

The Telegraph now reveals that whilst the Cottagers were potentially interested in Sterling's services, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich also made enquiries about his availability on transfer deadline day.

This interest stemmed from Nicolas Jackson's initially faltering loan arrangement, as the German giants required additional wide options. Jackson ultimately completed his temporary move, though, and Bayern's pursuit of Sterling subsequently cooled. Serie A outfit Napoli also reportedly made contact regarding his situation.

New signing booed by own fans

One player who has confirmed his departure is Dutch forward Emanuel Emegha, who is scheduled to move to Chelsea from Strasbourg in 2026. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old's choice to leave has not gone down well with supporters.

Chelsea and Strasbourg are affiliated clubs under BlueCo ownership. Club skipper Emegha's switch from one sister outfit to the other has apparently infuriated Strasbourg supporters, who displayed a banner targeting him during Sunday's clash with Le Havre.

"Emegha, pawn of BlueCo. After changing shirt, give back your captain's armband," declared the banner shown by the club's ultras, who also jeered when the forward received his Player of the Month accolade before kick-off despite being absent from the squad.

Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior condemned the backlash and told the club's media: "Emanuel Emegha was devastated, and I was too. I am very disappointed by what I saw. Seeing a banner against one of last season's best players is unacceptable. My players deserve much better."

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