Former Chelsea stars Emmanuel Petit and Frank Leboeuf have urged the club to pursue a swap deal involving Enzo Fernandez and Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga. The proposed player-plus-cash exchange could see Fernandez, valued at £120m, leave Stamford Bridge after just two seasons.
Fernandez's Desire to Leave Chelsea
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for £106.7m in 2023, is reportedly eager to leave this summer. New Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is keen to bolster his midfield options, and the Spanish giants are monitoring Fernandez's situation. Chelsea, however, would prefer to retain the 25-year-old but are reportedly prepared to accept a bid of £120m.
Real Madrid's willingness to meet that valuation remains uncertain. Petit and Leboeuf have suggested that if Los Blancos balk at the nine-figure fee, Chelsea should propose a swap deal involving Camavinga, who is valued at approximately £43m (€50m).
Petit and Leboeuf Back Camavinga Swap
Speaking to BetVictor, Petit said: "Eduardo Camavinga in a swap deal with Enzo Fernandez? Why not? Camavinga is still a very young player. He left Rennes for Madrid when he was 18 years old and he has played for six or seven years for Real Madrid. He has won some big trophies too. This guy has been an amazing young prospect."
Petit added: "Camavinga can be very good because we know that at Chelsea, most of them are young players. He's got experience. When you come from Real Madrid to Chelsea, having won many trophies and played there for so many years, and you play for the national team, you arrive at the club with experience that's probably missing at Chelsea. Camavinga is a talented player; he would be a great fit."
Leboeuf echoed those sentiments while speaking to BOYLE Sports: "I think Eduardo Camavinga would be fantastic at Chelsea. What he did for Real Madrid was absolutely exceptional because at the time that he came, you had Casemiro, you had Toni Kroos, and it was hard to play. Camavinga did very well and won so many titles that he has the experience, and he's a great young guy working hard."
Leboeuf also suggested a potential midfield partnership: "Camavinga and Moises Caicedo would be a fantastic pairing. Let's see how it works. Aurelien Tchouameni would also be an option for me, one of those two at Chelsea would be very interesting under Xabi Alonso."
Fernandez's Future Away from Stamford Bridge
Petit argued that Fernandez's long-term future does not lie at Chelsea. "Enzo Fernandez should go; you cannot keep a player happy if he wants to leave," the 55-year-old said. "He did say that he wanted to leave, and he was fined by the club. I know he's probably been one of the best players for Chelsea for the last two years, but you cannot be the captain of the team and have this kind of communication. Obviously, he wants to leave the club; we are not stupid."
Petit concluded: "I think he's been fed up and tired with what's going on at Chelsea. It's been a mess this season. Obviously, he is targeted by Real Madrid. Real Madrid desperately needs to get some strong and powerful midfield players. I won't be surprised if he leaves the club and goes to Real Madrid or somewhere else."
