Chelsea are refusing to lower their substantial asking price for Enzo Fernandez, with Real Madrid’s interest now confirmed. The Argentine midfielder has been the subject of intense speculation following a turbulent season at Stamford Bridge.
Fernandez's Future in Doubt
The 25-year-old World Cup winner was handed a two-game internal ban by Chelsea in April after making comments in an interview during an international break. In that interview, Fernandez spoke favourably about Madrid as a city, fuelling rumours he was angling for a move to the Spanish capital.
According to the Daily Mail, Real Madrid have formally expressed interest in signing Fernandez this summer. However, any deal is far from straightforward, with Chelsea valuing the midfielder at £120 million. The Blues originally paid Benfica £106.8 million for his services in January 2023 and are determined to turn a profit should he leave in the upcoming transfer window.
Other Suitors Emerge
Real Madrid are not alone in their pursuit. Reports indicate that Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are also monitoring the situation closely. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who is set to take over at Manchester City following Pep Guardiola's departure, is keen to reunite with Fernandez. However, negotiations over compensation between Chelsea and City have been protracted, as the Italian left Chelsea in January despite a contract running until 2029.
Fernandez’s relationship with Chelsea has been strained further by his public criticism of Maresca’s dismissal. In March, he said: “I don’t understand it. Sometimes as a player, there’s things we don’t understand and the way they try to manage things. I don’t have an answer for you because I don’t know.” He added: “Obviously, it was a departure that hurt a lot because we had a lot of identity, he gave us order but it’s the way that football is, sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad. But we always had a clear identity when it came to training, playing and obviously his departure hurt us especially in the middle of the season – it cuts everything short.”
With multiple top clubs circling, Chelsea’s resolve will be tested, but they appear determined to hold out for their valuation.
