Real Madrid have issued a categorical denial of any intention to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea this summer, as the Spanish club sought to quash speculation linking the Argentina midfielder with a move to the Bernabéu.
In a strongly worded statement, Real said it had “no intention” of undertaking any operation for the 25-year-old, despite reports that Fernandez was keen to leave Chelsea after they failed to secure European qualification last season. “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,” the statement read.
“Real Madrid deny any intention to sign Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea complete £47m signing of Marco Palestra.”
Chelsea have confirmed they have not received any club-to-club approach from Real for Fernandez. The Blues have valued the midfielder 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 – who himself made his first signing as manager on Wednesday.
Chelsea completed the signing of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra for a fee of about £47m, including add-ons. The 21-year-old has signed a six-year deal with the option of a further year, becoming the first arrival since Alonso’s appointment. Palestra, who was named Serie A’s defender of the year after a loan spell at Cagliari, said: “A lot of things convinced me to join Chelsea, one of the best clubs in the world. We have so many talented players here, a very strong squad and manager in Xabi. He has spoken to me about how he wants us to play, which is exciting, and we can’t wait to compete in the Premier League.”
Palestra’s rapid rise from Italy’s third tier with Atalanta’s under-23 side to Chelsea in three years has been marked by an aggressive style: at Cagliari he attempted 73 dribbles over distances of more than 5m – the most by any defender in Serie A – and his 70 successful dribbles were the highest of any defender across Europe’s top 10 leagues.
Chelsea are now prioritising a move for a centre-back, with Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix expected to be their primary target. They have also agreed deals for striker Emmanuel Emegha and winger Geovany Quenda, while Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco is expected to complete a move. However, much will depend on player sales after Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season and failed to qualify for Europe.
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who cost Chelsea a then-British record fee of £107m in February 2023 and has won the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup with the club, is keen to leave and is attracting interest from Real Madrid – despite the Spanish club’s denial. 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. Real’s statement added that it “wishes to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez” and Chelsea, and “regrets that, despite the clarity of the facts … information continues to be disseminated that does not correspond to reality”.
Chelsea’s summer business may also see departures: Serie A side Como have held talks over a move for Trevoh Chalobah, while a number of players including Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto and Tosin Adarabioyo face uncertain futures.