Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández is attracting serious interest from Real Madrid, with manager Xabi Alonso urging Los Blancos to strike a deal.
Real Madrid eye 2026 deal for Chelsea star Enzo Fernández
It's approaching three years since Enzo Maresca's side broke the British transfer record by signing Fernandez in a deal worth £107 million, and while Alexander Isak's move to Liverpool has since smashed that fee, the midfielder remains one of Chelsea's most expensive ever buys.
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The £180,000-per-week star endured a very difficult first year at Stamford Bridge, failing to justify his mammoth price tag whilst even getting involved in a racism scandal in 2024, but he's since been rejuvenated by Maresca.
The Italian shocked on-lookers by naming Fernandez as a captain just one month after his racism debacle with the Argentina national team. However, the 24-year-old repaid Maresca's faith by becoming one of the linchpins of his engine room.
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Since Maresca’s appointment, Chelsea’s tactical setup has played to Fernandez’s strengths, allowing him more freedom to influence the game in a more advanced role while also allowing him to maintain some defensive responsibilities.
This new place in the team has elevated his performances, and amid Fernandez's surge in form, reports are seriously linking Real with a keen interest in signing the ex-Benfica star.
"Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Enzo Fernandez," journalist Pete O'Rourke told Football Insider recently.
“They were interested before he did make that move to Chelsea and we know with Real Madrid being constantly linked with players, [it] can maybe turn a player’s head or unsettle them as well.
“I’m sure Real Madrid will continue to keep tabs on Enzo Fernandez. A lot will depend on the player and what he wants to do.
"Given how well he’s performed for Chelsea with such a long contract in place, I could not imagine that Chelsea would look to sell him unless somebody was able to make an offer well in excess of what Chelsea paid for him."
Some sources have suggested that Chelsea could be open to a part-exchange deal involving Fernandez and Fede Valverde, but a new report from Spain has made the Blues' demands crystal clear.
Chelsea set mammoth price tag for Enzo Fernández amid Real Madrid interest
It is now believed that Real's interest has intensified, with Alonso personally telling the La Liga giants to pursue Fernandez in a bid to upgrade his midfield.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso before the match
However, Chelsea have placed a £100 million price tag on Fernandez, so if Real want to open talks, they could have to make him the Londoners' biggest-ever sale.
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Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards best summed up Fernandez's newly-found importance to Chelsea, praising him as a "leader" in the squad who has a "little bit of everything" after yet another great performance against Liverpool just prior to the international break.
He would now be difficult to replace, and Chelsea will hope that Fernandez's knee problem isn't too serious after he was forced to withdraw from international duty.