Fermin Lopez to Chelsea transfer twist as Barcelona make decision after Hansi Flick message

Chelsea have been dealt a major blow to their hopes of signing Fermin Lopez from Barcelona. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder emerged as a potential target for the Blues shortly after Cole Palmer suffered a groin injury in the warm-up to the West Ham clash.

football.london understands that the Blues were interested in Lopez, and they were considering a bid ahead of the transfer window deadline on Monday night. Chelsea contacted the Spain international's entourage to explore the possibility of a move, but a deal proved difficult to agree, with Hansi Flick eager not to let him go.

According to The Athletic, the west Londoners have pulled the plug on their pursuit, and Lopez is now expected to stay the Camp Nou. Speaking to reporters ahead of last weekend's against Rayo Vallecano, the Barcelona boss claimed he was 'convinced' the Chelsea target would stay.

"At the moment, he is here," said Flick on Saturday, as quoted by ESPN. "I spoke with him. I'm convinced that he will stay, but at the end I don't know what happens. We have to wait. I am really happy when the market is closed.

"I told him my opinion, but it's between him and me. Sometimes players have other thoughts. Around the players are also a lot of people, who know maybe more than we know. It's a big business.

"I have to focus on my team and I am really happy Fermín plays for Barça. He's a really important player for us. He showed that last season. His style is different to other players. He can help us a lot."

Flick added: "My job is to focus on the team. Everyone knows I would love to keep every player here in Barça. Fermin is a player who is very aggressive on the pitch, against the ball but also with the ball.

"He's good sprinting between the last lines and helps us a lot to create spaces. But he's also a really great player to score goals, give the last pass, create chances. You can see that he lives [for] Barça. He loves Barça. I think, not to say too much, in his heart he is Barça."

Then, in an interview with DAZN on Sunday, Flick insisted that the speculation hasn't hindered his side's preparations for Sunday. As quoted by Spanish outlet Marca, the German said: "Fermín's situation hasn't affected the preparations for the match; that's normal in football. The transfer window closes tomorrow, and I'm very happy."

Rayo Vallecano held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw, with Lopez coming off the bench in the final half an hour. In his post-match press conference, Flick provided a cryptic update on the Spaniard's future.

As quoted by Marca, the former Germany boss said: "Today we have to talk about the team, not the players. The most important thing for me is that when the transfer window closes, everyone is 100 percent committed. It's important not to have egos; that kills the chances of success."

football.london understands Chelsea are, however, closing in on the signing of Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton on a season-long loan deal. The Blues are set to pay a £2m loa fee for the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, who's keen on a switch to Stamford Bridge.

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