BARCELONA have turned down an ambitious swap offer from Chelsea to sign highly-rated midfielder Fermin Lopez, according to reports.
It’s claimed that the Blues approached Barcelona about swapping out-of-favour forward Christopher Nkunku for the 22-year-old talent.
A report from popular Spanish football show El Chiringuito de Jugones, claims that Chelsea tabled an offer worth around £60million – including Nkunku – to try and prise him away from the Nou Camp.
However, Barcelona officials have outright rejected the approach, with manager Hansi Flick keen to keep hold of the two-time Spain international.
Barcelona are interested in bringing in a new forward this summer, but are thought to consider Liverpool winger Luis Diaz as their number one target – who has admitted he is talking to other clubs.
Nkunku, 27, looks destined for a Stamford Bridge exit after making just nine Premier League starts under Enzo Maresca this season.
The Frenchman’s £52m move to SW6 in 2023 has proved unsuccessful so far, with the former RB Leipzig man managing only six Prem goals in his 38 league appearances for the Chelsea.
Lopez has also struggled for consistent minutes at Barcelona, falling behind the likes of Dani Olmo, Raphinha and Gavi in the pecking order for the Catalan giants.
However, he is still understood to be considered a crucial part of Barcelona’s future – picking up 18 goal contributions across all competitions this season.
It’s claimed that the only way Barcelona would let Lopez go would be if the Euro 2024 winner pushed for an exit himself in search of more regular minutes.
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Lopez will have one eye on making Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad for next summer’s World Cup, something he will have to be playing regularly to achieve.
Chelsea have already added Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap to their ranks since the conclusion of the current campaign, signing the England youth star for £30m.
But they will need to find a replacement for outgoing loanee Jadon Sancho, who is returning to Manchester United following the expiration of his loan deal in West London.
Chelsea opted against activating a buy clause in Sancho’s contract, choosing instead to pay Man Utd a £5million penalty fee for deciding against completing a permanent deal.
Meanwhile forgotten Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – who spent the season on loan with Bournemouth – could be on his way to London rivals Arsenal.
The Gunners are interested in signing the Spanish shot-stopper as backup to number one David Raya – seeing his £5m release clause as an attractive market opportunity.
Garth Brooks is really trying to get everything under control. One of the most popular singer-songwriters in the United States, famous for his integration of pop and rock elements into the country genre, the 63-year-old industry veteran seems to have become the epitome of quite some backlash and controversies as of late. Surprisingly enough, Brooks […]
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While Taylor Sheridan’s shows, which have been keeping Paramount+ afloat in the oversaturated streaming market, tend to feel indistinguishable at times in terms of tone, Tulsa King has been a complete departure in that front. This mainly stems from the Western writer’s limited input, and while not the most revered IP under his belt, it […]
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AN extract from the Lord’s Prayer is more recognisable than a famous line in Star Wars, according to a poll.
More people also identified Jesus Christ’s ancient teaching than the national anthem.
Some 80.3 per cent knew “Give us this day our daily bread” is from the Lord’s Prayer, also known as the “Our Father”.
It beat the 79.9 per cent recognising “May the Force be with you” from the Star Wars films.
“To be or not to be” from Shakespeare play Hamlet was identified by 73 per cent.
Some 63 per cent matched “happy and glorious, long to reign over us” with God Save The King in the Church of England’s poll of 2,000-plus people.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said the findings suggest the prayer remains a “steady guide” and something which continues to “resonate with people of all faiths and none”.
Mr Cottrell is leading a “tour” of events at churches and cathedrals across the north of England as part of his Faith In The North initiative, with a focus on the prayer.
He said: “These results reflect what we’ve been hearing across the north of England through our Faith In The North initiative, which invites people to explore the Lord’s Prayer.
“Lines like ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ speak powerfully to today’s challenges, reminding us to seek sufficiency, not excess, and to consider what ‘enough’ truly means.”
The contemporary Lord's Prayer reads as follows:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are finally here – with some huge deals already in the pipeline.
Liverpool have made an offer worth £113million for Florian Wirtz, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Elsewhere, Rodrygo has become the ‘number one’ target for Arsenal on the wing, with the Gunners looking to strengthen out wide.
In other news, Brentford have revealed their price to be around £70 million for star player Bryan Mbeumo, as Manchester United look to bring him in.
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