Real Madrid have publicly and categorically denied any intention of signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea this summer, releasing an unprecedented statement on Friday that the Spanish giants “have not made any effort, either direct or indirect” to acquire the Argentina midfielder. The move came after reports circulated that Fernandez, who cost Chelsea a then-British record £107m in February 2023, was keen to leave Stamford Bridge following the club’s failure to secure European qualification last season.
Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, had accelerated the rumours by telling Marca: “Today the player is calmly thinking about the national team… and we are looking at possibilities to leave Chelsea, but there is nothing firm or confirmed at any club.” Chelsea have valued the 25-year-old at £120m should serious interest materialise, but insist they have received no club-to-club approach from Real. The Blues are not actively looking to sell and would be happy to retain him as a key player under new coach Xabi Alonso.
“Real Madrid deny any interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, despite his agent saying they are exploring an exit.”
Real’s statement, published on the club’s website, expressed “utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez, a great footballer whose career and quality are widely known, as well as for Chelsea FC, with which it maintains an excellent institutional relationship.” It added: “Precisely because of the respect that an entity like Chelsea FC deserves… the club considers it necessary to categorically deny speculations that are unfounded and do not correspond to reality.” The denial comes despite previous boss Liam Rosenior having handed Fernandez a two-game suspension in April after the midfielder said he would “love” to live in Madrid.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have completed their first signing under Alonso: Italy right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £47m. The 21-year-old, who was named Serie A’s defender of the year after a loan at Cagliari, has signed a six-year deal. The club are now prioritising a centre-back, with Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix a primary target, while they have seen an £8m bid for Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka rejected. A number of players, including Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap and Wesley Fofana, face uncertain futures as Chelsea look to reshape a squad that finished 10th in the Premier League last season.
Fernandez, who has won the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea and scored 15 goals in all competitions last season, remains contracted until 2032. Despite the transfer talk, Chelsea still expect him to report for pre-season training as normal after Argentina’s World Cup campaign. The question of where Fernandez will be playing next season remains unanswered, but Real Madrid have made one thing clear: it will not be at the Bernabéu.