Real Madrid rule out Fernandez signing

Real Madrid say they have "no intention" of trying to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea this summer.

After Chelsea failed to secure European qualification last season, well-placed sources say Fernandez is keen to leave and join Real.

The Spanish giants are reportedly interested in signing the Argentina midfielder, who cost Chelsea a then-British record fee of £107m in February 2023.

But Real issued a statement on Friday insisting those reports "do not correspond to reality".

"In light of the reports and statements that have appeared in recent days regarding an alleged interest from Real Madrid in the player Enzo Fernandez, the club wishes to state that it has not made any effort, either direct or indirect, to sign the aforementioned player and, likewise, has no intention of undertaking such an operation," reads the statement., external

Chelsea have confirmed they have not received any club-to-club approach from Real for Fernandez.

The Blues have valued the 25-year-old at £120m, should serious interest materialise, but are not actively looking to sell and would be happy to retain him as a key player under new coach Xabi Alonso.

Previous boss Liam Rosenior handed Fernandez a two-game suspension in April for saying he did not know whether he would remain at Chelsea next season and that he would "love" to live in Madrid.

The Premier League club signed Fernandez from Benfica shortly after he helped Argentina win the World Cup for a third time at the end of 2022.

He has gone on to win the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, scoring 15 goals in all competitions last season, and he remains an important player for Argentina at this summer's World Cup.

Real have already signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea this summer, acquiring the Spain left-back in a deal worth up to £51.8m.

Their statement added that the club "wishes to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez, a great footballer whose career and quality are widely known, as well as for Chelsea FC, a club with which it maintains an excellent institutional relationship.

"Precisely because of the respect that an entity like Chelsea FC deserves and because of the principles of institutional loyalty that have always governed the actions of Real Madrid, the club considers it necessary to categorically deny speculations that are unfounded and do not correspond to reality.

"Real Madrid regrets that, despite the clarity of the facts and the lack of any action on the part of the club, information continues to be disseminated that does not correspond to reality and that only contributes to generating confusion among fans and unnecessarily harming the entities and people involved."

The 15-time European champions issued a similar statement last month to deny reports linking them with Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, who has impressed at the World Cup with France.

Real Madrid's statement represents a significant blow for Enzo Fernandez and his representatives.

Anyone following comments from his camp, or from the Argentina international himself, will be aware that he has been open to the possibility of leaving Stamford Bridge this summer, with a move to the Spanish capital understood to be his preferred option.

Madrid's public distancing from Fernandez follows similar signals given privately by sources at Paris St-Germain and Manchester City, both of whom have previously been linked with the midfielder.

Since March, Fernandez has made a number of public comments in Spanish-language interviews following Chelsea's dip in form and their Champions League exit to PSG.

Later that month, while on international duty, he spoke about a potential move to Spain in several interviews, which ultimately resulted in an internal two-match suspension.

His agent Javier Pastore has also publicly discussed his future, suggesting Fernandez is underpaid at Chelsea and indicating that failure to qualify for the Champions League could become an issue.

Those comments have created an uncomfortable situation for Chelsea, given Fernandez's importance to the team. The midfielder contributed 15 goals and seven assists in all competitions last season and served as vice-captain.

Chelsea, however, have remained consistent in their position.

The club have been willing to listen to offers should their £120m valuation be met, but they have not actively sought to sell him.

While the situation has been challenging, Chelsea do not view it as irreparable.

There is a belief at Stamford Bridge that Alonso can successfully reintegrate Fernandez into the squad and help repair his relationship with supporters through strong performances and results on the pitch.

-BBC