Chelsea may be tempted to make another move for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez as the 23-year-old continues to establish himself as a key player for Hansi Flick.

Lopez previously turned down a move to Stamford Bridge, but his prospects of regular football in west London could improve with Barcelona’s midfield options increasing. Frenkie De Jong is fit again, while Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Gavi and Rodri must also be accommodated at Camp Nou.

The Spain international missed the World Cup after an ill-timed injury forced him to withdraw shortly before the tournament. He has since used that disappointment to drive his performances for Barcelona.

Just 10 league games into the 2026/27 campaign, Lopez has scored four goals and supplied three assists from midfield. He has also contributed a goal and an assist in three Champions League appearances.

Lopez’s energetic style and attacking output have made him an attractive option for Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. Barcelona are well stocked in midfield and continue to face financial problems, meaning a sufficiently strong offer could persuade the Catalan club to negotiate.

Chelsea have made an uneven start under Alonso. They have scored 17 goals in the Premier League, the third-highest total in the division, but have conceded 15, also the third-highest figure.

Four wins and three defeats have left Chelsea fifth, eight points behind leaders Man City and eight points above bottom club Sunderland. Their Carabao Cup exit to Liverpool has added to the disappointment, although it also removes another set of fixtures from an emerging squad’s schedule.

Since Clearlake Capital took over, Chelsea have lacked continuity, with repeated changes to players and managers making it difficult to build stability. Alonso has shown his credentials, having come within one victory of completing an unbeaten treble-winning season with Bayer Leverkusen. His time at Real Madrid did not go to plan, although there were mitigating circumstances which ultimately saw him become the fall guy.

The manager has brought in Morgan Rogers, Jordan Henderson and Emi Martinez among others, and the club’s board must allow time for those signings to develop as a team. Repeatedly hiring and dismissing managers when results do not improve immediately would be counterproductive, while Alonso needs the opportunity to build the foundation required to challenge for silverware.

Lopez’s statistics underline his all-round contribution. Since the start of the 2025/26 campaign, he has contested 494 one-on-ones, fewer only than Lamine Yamal, and won 228. He has regained possession 149 times, placing him among Barcelona’s top seven for that measure.

His 50 aerial duels are bettered only by Barcelona defenders, while Eric Garcia is the only player to have attempted more than Lopez’s 90 tackles. Lopez is also one of four players, alongside Pedri, Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, to have regained possession more than 86 times in the midfield third.

He has created 72 chances and completed 86.85% of his passes. His relentless pursuit of opponents when Barcelona do not have the ball is another reason Chelsea may believe he would give everything for their shirt.

The question is whether Alonso can convince Lopez that his future lies in west London.