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Hansi Flick could not have been any clearer: "I want to keep everyone here," the Barcelona manager said last week when asked about the club's transfer plans. Yet this week, rumours over the future of Fermin Lopez are beginning to grow.
"I don't want to lose any players now, because it will be a tough season," Flick said. "This quality from Fermin, he is doing really good, from last season, also when we start here, in the new season. I am happy with him and the players, and I want to keep everyone here, because we are happy with the options we have."
Chelsea have since registered their interest in Lopez, with the Blues contacting the 22-year-old's entourage to gauge whether the player would be keen on the prospect of a move to Stamford Bridge. There is yet to be any contact between Chelsea and Barcelona - at the time of writing - but there is a genuine interest in Lopez, who faces stern competition for places at Blaugrana.
The Blues face a big decision in the final four days of the window - do they follow up on their initial interest in Lopez, or do they continue to pursue a deal for Xavi Simons? Chelsea have been in direct club-to-club talks with RB Leipzig for the 22-year-old playmaker for well over a month now, but negotiations have been slow and complicated due to the Blues' desire to offload Christopher Nkunku.
Yet there has always been a confidence the deal will eventually be completed. Particularly from sources close to Simons' camp. football.london was told over the weekend there is optimism a deal between Chelsea and Leipzig will be struck, while sources also confirmed a couple of days later that talks are continuing this week over the Netherlands international, who has a broad agreement with the Blues over personal terms. However, Tottenham have now complicated proceedings by entering the race to sign Simons.
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Meanwhile, Chelsea are working on a whole host of outgoings before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. Nicolas Jackson is the name dominating social media at the moment, with the 24-year-old seeking a move away from Stamford Bridge in the coming days - with plenty of interest in his signature.
football.london understands Napoli, Aston Villa and Newcastle United all remain in the race to sign Jackson, despite Bayern Munich looking like the front-runners at the moment. Talks are continuing with Bayern over a move for the Senegal international, who is once again not expected to feature for Chelsea this weekend when they take on Fulham in the Premier League.
Chelsea are still trying to find a new destination for Nkunku, who informed the club earlier in the summer that he wanted to depart. Leipzig are exploring a move for the Frenchman but reports from Germany suggest a permanent deal - that Chelsea demand - may prove a difficult option for the Bundesliga club, who sold Nkunku in the summer of 2023.
Roma are interested in signing Tyrique George, football.london understands, with the 19-year-old exploring his options before the transfer window shuts. George, a product of the Chelsea academy, broke into the senior side last season under Enzo Maresca and made 26 appearances across all competitions, where he scored three goals and assisted five times.
However, with the signing of Jamie Gittens and the prospective additions of Simons, who can play on the left wing, and Alejandro Garnacho, the young talent is concerned about his pathway into the first team. Roma are currently in talks with Chelsea over a permanent move for George.
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