Barcelona's persuasive charm offensive that convinced midfielder Fermin Lopez to reject a lucrative offer from Chelsea has been revealed by sources close to the negotiations. The 22-year-old Spanish international, who emerged as one of La Masia's brightest talents last season, was the subject of intense interest from the Premier League side during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea reportedly offered to triple Fermin's salary and was willing to pay his €60 million release clause, tempting the midfielder with a starring role in Enzo Maresca's project. However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco orchestrated a masterful retention strategy centered around three key elements that ultimately secured the player's loyalty.
First, Barcelona offered Fermin a new contract with significant performance-based incentives that could eventually match Chelsea's financial package while remaining within the club's wage structure. Second, manager Hansi Flick personally guaranteed him a central role in the team's tactical setup, promising at least 30 starts across all competitions this season.
Most crucially, club legend Andres Iniesta made a surprise intervention, calling Fermin from Japan to share his own experience of rejecting foreign offers to remain at Camp Nou. "Iniesta's call was the decisive moment," revealed a source close to the player. "He told Fermin that staying at Barça would mean sacrificing some money initially, but the emotional rewards of succeeding at your boyhood club are priceless."
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