Chelsea’s transfer window has been nothing short of eventful, but recent reports from Mundo Deportivo suggest the club may have overstepped in one of their more ambitious proposals.
According to the Spanish outlet, Chelsea approached Barcelona earlier this summer with a swap deal offer: Christopher Nkunku in exchange for Fermin Lopez, one of La Liga’s fastest-rising stars. The idea was to take advantage of Barça’s well-known financial struggles and intense competition in their attacking areas, but the plan was swiftly rejected.
Why Chelsea Tried This Deal
Chelsea’s interest in Fermin Lopez is understandable. The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in 2023/24 and has impressed new Barça manager Hansi Flick with his work ethic, versatility, and technical quality. Competing for minutes with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and Marcus Rashford, Lopez might have appeared a potential candidate for a big-money departure.
Chelsea, aware they need to make outgoings to fund moves like the ongoing Xavi Simons pursuit, saw an opportunity to solve two problems at once: offload Christopher Nkunku, who has struggled for form and fitness, and bring in an elite young La Liga midfielder.
Why Barcelona Said No
The answer from Barcelona was an emphatic no. Fermin is highly regarded within the club, and Flick is believed to have personally intervened to ensure the player remains focused on staying. The German coach even called Lopez after reading rumors online about the player possibly leaving, keen to reassure him of his importance to the team.
Barça’s rejection also reflects how far Nkunku’s market value has fallen. Once seen as one of Europe’s most electric forwards, the former RB Leipzig star has had a frustrating spell at Chelsea due to recurring injuries and inconsistent performances. Chelsea’s willingness to offer him in deals across Europe—reportedly including to Bayern Munich—signals the urgency with which they’re trying to free up both squad space and funds.
What This Means for Chelsea and Xavi Simons
The rejection of the swap deal further complicates Chelsea’s efforts to finalise a move for Xavi Simons. Multiple sources claim the deal hinges on Chelsea making key player sales, and Nkunku was seen as one of the prime candidates.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, openly shopping a player like Nkunku can backfire—diminishing his value and possibly scaring off suitors.
ChelseaBrief Final Thoughts
Attempting a direct swap between Christopher Nkunku and Fermin Lopez was always going to be a long shot—perhaps even wishful thinking. Barcelona are building around Lopez, and Chelsea’s desperation to offload players like Nkunku is becoming more evident by the day.
While ambition in the transfer market is not inherently a bad thing, it’s clear Chelsea will need more strategic—and realistic—negotiations to close out their summer window successfully. The pursuit of Xavi Simons continues, but unless outgoings start materialising, Chelsea could be left watching from the sidelines once again.
