Chelsea make late push to sign Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez | OneFootball

Chelsea have made a shocking last-minute bid for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, SPORT reports.

With the transfer window approaching deadline day, Chelsea are still looking to bring in two players to bolster the left wing and attacking midfield.

Over the past couple of weeks, their targets have been public knowledge.

Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons are expected to join the club before the transfer window closes.

However, Chelsea have now turned their attention to Barca ace Lopez and have submitted a €50 million (£43m) bid for the Spanish midfielder.

Barca are reportedly mulling over the proposal. They know it could solve a lot of problems for them, especially as they continue to walk a tightrope with their finances.

But Lopez is considered a key part of Hansi Flick’s squad, so it remains to be seen if Barca will be tempted to cash in before next week’s deadline.

For weeks, speculation around potential departures has swirled at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Flick has been clear that he doesn’t want to lose any key players, but the club’s need to meet La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules means compromises may be unavoidable.

Chelsea’s formal offer has now put Barca on the spot. The Blues are still rebuilding their squad under Enzo Maresca and have already added six players this summer.

Lopez has played 89 times for Barca since coming through the youth set-up, notching 19 goals and 11 assists.

Last season, he scored eight times and weighed in with 10 assists in 46 games across all competitions, but has only featured for 45 minutes this term.

It remains to be seen if any deal for Lopez would force Chelsea to ditch their interest in Simons, but a deal would help Barca cover their financial gaps and register new arrivals like Roony Bardghji and Marcus Rashford.