Real Madrid have stated they have no intention of pursuing a transfer for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer. The Spanish club issued a statement denying reports of their interest in the Argentina international, who joined Chelsea in February 2023 for a significant fee.
Reports had suggested that Fernandez was keen to leave Stamford Bridge after Chelsea failed to secure European qualification last season. Sources close to the player indicated that a move to the Spanish capital was his preferred option, with Real Madrid reportedly interested.
However, Real Madrid‘s statement on Friday explicitly denied these claims. The club affirmed that it has not made any direct or indirect efforts to sign Fernandez and has no intention of undertaking such an operation. This public denial follows similar private signals from sources at Paris St-Germain and Manchester City, both of whom had also been linked with the midfielder.
Fernandez’s situation at Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez has been a key player for Chelsea since his arrival, helping Argentina win the World Cup shortly before his transfer. He has since won the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup with Chelsea, scoring 15 goals in all competitions last season and providing seven assists. He also served as vice-captain for the team.
Despite his importance, Fernandez’s future at Chelsea has been the subject of speculation. After Chelsea‘s dip in form and their exit from the Champions League to PSG, Fernandez made several public comments in Spanish-language interviews about a potential move to Spain. These comments, made while on international duty, led to an internal two-match suspension from then-manager Liam Rosenior.
His agent, Javier Pastore, has also publicly discussed Fernandez’s future, suggesting that the player is underpaid at Chelsea and indicating that the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League could become a factor in his client’s decision. Pastore stated that Fernandez is currently focused on the World Cup but is exploring options to leave Chelsea, though nothing firm has been confirmed with any club.
Chelsea, for their part, have maintained a consistent stance. While they have valued the 25-year-old at £120m should serious interest materialise, they are not actively looking to sell him. The club would prefer to retain Fernandez as a key player under new coach Xabi Alonso. There is a belief at Stamford Bridge that Alonso can successfully reintegrate Fernandez into the squad and help mend his relationship with supporters through strong performances on the pitch.
Real Madrid’s official position
Real Madrid‘s statement emphasised their respect for Enzo Fernandez as a footballer and for Chelsea FC, with whom they maintain an excellent institutional relationship. The club expressed regret that, despite the clarity of the facts and their lack of action, reports not reflecting reality continue to circulate, potentially causing confusion among fans and harming the involved parties.
This denial from Real Madrid represents a significant development for Enzo Fernandez and his representatives, particularly given his expressed preference for a move to the Spanish capital. The club’s statement also mentioned that they had issued a similar denial last month regarding reports linking them with Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, who has impressed at the World Cup with France.
Earlier this summer, Real Madrid did sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, acquiring the Spain left-back in a deal worth up to £51.8m. However, regarding Fernandez, Chelsea have confirmed that they have not received any club-to-club approach from Real Madrid for the player.
The situation, while challenging, is not viewed as irreparable by Chelsea. Fernandez contributed 15 goals and seven assists in all competitions last season.
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Source: bbc.co.uk