Barcelona Rejects €40m Chelsea Bid, Real Betis Loan for Midfielders

Barcelona midfielder Pedri revealed that he was once rejected by Real Madrid during a trial, with the club telling him he did not meet their level, a decision he now thanks as it led him to Barcelona where he has become a key player. Despite being overlooked by Real Madrid, Pedri has risen to prominence and played a pivotal role in Barcelona's recent successes, including scoring against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final. Meanwhile, Barcelona rejected a €40 million bid from Chelsea for young midfielder Fermín López, who opted to stay at Camp Nou despite tough competition for playing time. Similarly, Barcelona declined a loan offer from Real Betis for promising midfielder Marc Bernal, who is recovering from a serious injury and is being carefully managed to avoid setbacks. Bernal is expected to return gradually to first-team action under coach Hansi Flick, with the club prioritizing his development and controlling his progression amid intense competition in midfield. These moves reflect Barcelona's strategy of investing in and retaining their homegrown talents rather than engaging in high-profile transfers.