The acquisition of Liam Delap is expected to be just the beginning of Enzo Maresca`s signings for Chelsea this summer.
Chelsea is preparing for the upcoming Club World Cup, where a substantial prize of $125m (£92m) is on offer for the winner, making a deep run in the tournament financially beneficial.
This period presents a good opportunity for the manager to integrate Delap into the team while simultaneously pursuing other potential signings.
Over the past twenty years, Chelsea has benefited from the talent of several Spanish players, including Champions League winners like Fernando Torres, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Juan Mata.
Could another Spanish player be joining the club this summer?
Chelsea Make Offers for Two Potential Signings
Delap joined Chelsea for £30m, activated by a release clause after Ipswich Town`s Premier League relegation. This signing is potentially the first of a busy transfer window, particularly as the club also targets Borussia Dortmund`s Jamie Gittens.
According to reports on Saturday evening, Chelsea has submitted an offer of around £30m for Gittens, and the club has already agreed personal terms with the 20-year-old.
These developments come alongside reports from Spain (via TEAMtalk) indicating that Chelsea has also made a bid of €75m (£63m) for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez.
Given Barcelona`s ongoing financial challenges, they might be inclined to accept such an offer, even though Lopez is considered a highly promising talent.
Manchester United are also reportedly interested in signing Lopez, adding an element of intrigue to the transfer saga.
If Chelsea is successful, Maresca could potentially bring in a player reminiscent of Juan Mata.
Why Fermin Lopez is a Key Target for Chelsea
Juan Mata joined Chelsea from Valencia in La Liga at the age of 23 (one year older than Lopez) and contributed 86 goals and assists in 135 appearances for the club.
Mata`s creativity and goal-scoring ability quickly made him a fan favourite, and Chelsea has arguably lacked a player with his unique flair since his departure.
Lopez also demonstrates a keen eye for goal. Last season for Barcelona, he scored eight goals and provided ten assists in 46 appearances, highlighting his effectiveness in the attacking third. His former manager Xavi Hernandez described him as the `whole package`.
His statistics from La Liga in 2024/25 show his attacking prowess, ranking in the top 8% for total shots (2.95), top 6% for non-penalty goals (0.43), and top 4% for assists (0.36) per 90 minutes among his positional peers.
| Fermin Lopez`s Champions League statistics last season | |
|---|---|
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Big chances created | 3 |
| Key passes per game | 0.5 |
| Shots per game | 1.5 |
| Total duels won per game | 2.1 |
| Via Sofascore | |
Additionally, the Spanish midfielder created eight big chances for Barcelona and averaged one key pass per game in La Liga.
Following Barcelona`s latest La Liga title win, talent scout Jacek Kulig praised Lopez, calling him `an intelligent & hardworking midfielder` and `a superb impact player for Barça`.
This high praise underscores his potential. With Chelsea returning to the Champions League next season, signing players like Lopez and Gittens will be crucial for strengthening the squad.
The last time the club signed a creative Spanish midfielder with a knack for goals from La Liga, they went on to win the Champions League.
This time, Lopez could potentially be their next Juan Mata.
