Chelsea could still be on course to end the Premier League summer transfer as the top-flight's highest spenders for the fourth successive year.
Enzo Maresca's Blues have splashed out a reported £281m on new players since the end of the 2024/25 season and they are currently second on the top spenders list behind rivals Liverpool.
Under Maresca last summer, and previous bosses in 2022 and 2023, no club paid out more for summer signings than Chelsea - and one final big move appears to be in the works at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca has indicated his desire land a new central defender, following a serious injury to Levi Colwill, but the club ownership have stated their belief in the current defensive options being enough to cover for the absence.
Alejandro Garnacho is the latest arrival, following a £40m move from Manchester United, but Barcelona are prepared to block a late offer for Fermin Lopez.
Barcelona's delicate finances mean a big-name sale is still on the cards before the transfer window closes but the majority of their outstanding player registrations have now been accounted for.
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Fermin Lopez's Barcelona transfer fee, contract, stats
Catalan-born Lopez made the jump from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy into the first team under Xavi Hernandez in 2023.
The 23-year-old featured in 46 games in all competitions last season, as Hansi Flick claimed a trophy treble, but he is not a guaranteed starter.
Chelsea had hoped to make the most of that uncertainty to launch a bold bid despite Flick's open insistence he wanted to retain his No.16.
Under contract until 2029, Barcelona are in a strong negotiating position, and Chelsea's €40m low-ball offer was instantly rejected earlier this week.
Despite reports of Barcelona being willing to accept an offer of around €70m, just above their valuation of Lopez, the club's stance has now changed.
Reports from Mundo Deportivo claim Chelsea's previous habit of spending big on players has forced them out of the market with Barcelona only willing to accept a bid that would break new ground at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool's summer move for Florian Wirtz has broken the previous Premier League transfer record held by Blues star Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea have twice broken the £100m mark, for Fernandez and Moises Caicedo and that is the benchmark for Barcelona to consider selling Lopez.
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