Real Madrid have issued a categorical denial of any intention to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea this summer, insisting that reports linking them with the Argentina midfielder “do not correspond to reality”. The Spanish giants’ statement came after well-placed sources indicated that Fernandez, who cost Chelsea a then-British record £107m in February 2023, is keen to leave Stamford Bridge and join Real Madrid. Despite the 25-year-old’s desire – he was suspended for two games in April by then-boss Liam Rosenior after saying he would “love” to live in Madrid – Real said they have “not made any effort, either direct or indirect” to sign him. Chelsea have confirmed no club-to-club approach has been received, and while they value Fernandez at £120m should serious interest materialise, they are not actively looking to sell and would be happy to keep him as a key player under new coach Xabi Alonso.
The denial comes as Chelsea completed their first signing of the Alonso era: Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra for about £47m, including add-ons. The 21-year-old, who signed a six-year deal with an option for a further year, chose Chelsea over boyhood club Inter Milan, who had agreed a £43m offer. “A lot of things convinced me to join Chelsea, one of the best clubs in the world,” Palestra said. “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 spent last season on loan at Cagliari, where he was named Serie A’s defender of the year after attempting 73 dribbles over distances of more than 5m – the most by any defender in the Italian top flight – and completing 70 successful dribbles, the highest tally of any defender across Europe’s top 10 leagues. His rapid rise from Italy’s third tier with Atalanta’s under-23 side to Chelsea has taken just three years, culminating in his senior Italy debut during the high-pressure World Cup play-offs.
“Real Madrid deny interest in Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea sign Marco Palestra for £47m.”
The signing of Palestra is part of a wider rebuild at Chelsea, who finished 10th in the Premier League last season and failed to qualify for Europe. The club are prioritising a centre-back, with Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix the primary target, and have also discussed a move for Rayo Vallecano full-back Pep Chavarria. Agreed deals are in place for striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting, while Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco is expected to complete a move. However, much depends on player sales: Fernandez is not the only one with an uncertain future. Como have held talks over Trevoh Chalobah, while the club is considering offers for Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto and Tosin Adarabioyo. Sunderland have already rejected an £8m bid for captain Granit Xhaka, who played under Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. With Real Madrid having already signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £51.8m this summer, and now emphatically ruling out a move for Fernandez, the midfielder’s path out of Stamford Bridge remains blocked – at least for now.