Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has identified Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez as a key target for his project, according to El Nacional.
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The report says Alonso plans to call Lopez personally as he attempts to persuade the 23-year-old to become one of the central figures in a rebuilt Chelsea side.
Barcelona do not want to sell the midfielder, but the club could be prepared to open negotiations in the winter if Chelsea make a sufficiently substantial offer.
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According to the same source, Chelsea would be willing to pay €140m for the transfer.
Lopez’s current contract with Barcelona runs until the end of the 2030/31 season.