Chelsea stunned as Sunderland ‘submit’ €80m offer

Sunderland have submitted an €80 million offer for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, according to a bombshell report from Spain.

Regis Le Bris’ side have enjoyed a spectacular start to the 2025-26 Premier League season, following their promotion from the Championship, and they are currently fourth in the English top flight table after 11 matches.

A busy summer transfer window saw the Black Cats add a plethora of talented players to their first-team squad and they are now eager to dip into the market once again in January.

Rumours have suggested they could look to bring Marc Guiu back to the club following Chelsea’s decision to recall him from a loan spell on Transfer Deadline Day, although the recent form of summer signing Brian Brobbey could halt a possible deal.

Spanish publication Fichajes now claim that Sunderland have “surprised the football world” by lodging an €80m bid for the aforementioned Fermin.

The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, however the Blues were unable to finalise an agreement with Barcelona, while the Spain international never pushed to leave Camp Nou.

He had been identified as the club’s priority target to provide cover for Cole Palmer, but the transfer failed to materialise and Chelsea instead opted to sign Facundo Buonanotte on a season-long loan deal from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Fermin Lopez to Sunderland?

Fermin has continued to establish himself as a key player under Hansi Flick this term, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 12 matches across all competitions, and Sunderland have now reportedly joined the race to acquire his signature.

Le Bris’ side view Fermin as a “unique market opportunity”, as per Fichajes, and they are eager to bring him to the club in January amid their bid to qualify for Europe this campaign.

Barcelona are reportedly assessing the possibility of a sale and Sunderland’s proposal is said to have sparked an “internal debate” at Camp Nou.

However, Fermin still has over three-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Barcelona and he has previously admitted that he has no intention of leaving his boyhood club.

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