All the talk throughout the international break has been about Enzo Fernández’s future at Chelsea, and the latest reports suggest Andy Townsend’s prediction about the Argentine is set to become true.
It all started with Fernandez’s comments after the 3-0 loss to PSG. He told Argentine media that he would be open to a Chelsea exit this summer, with the Blues struggling to qualify for the Champions League.
Since then, Liam Rosenior has attempted to play down the issue. Yet, Fernandez has dropped another hint by saying he would love to live in Madrid. Indeed, reports say Fernandez dreams of playing for Madrid.
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The Chelsea midfielder has a contract at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2032. Now, a new report has emerged, and it suggests Andy Townsend got his prediction about Fernandez’s future bang on.
Andy Townsend hit the nail on the head about Enzo Fernandez
It has been claimed that if Chelsea were to cash in on their World Cup winner, they would want £100m for Fernandez. Hardly a surprise, given the Blues paid £107m to sign him from Benfica back in January 2023.
Now, Spanish reporter Jorge C Picon reports exactly where Real Madrid stand regarding a move for the midfielder. Indeed, Picon says Madrid want a midfielder and are aware that Fernandez is keen to join.
Fernandez also has plenty of admirers at Madrid and believe he would fit the bill at Valdebebas. But, Picon names the major obstacle – Madrid cannot afford to meet Chelsea’s asking price for Fernandez.
That is, even if Chelsea reduced the fee to €100m, which would equate to around £87m. Picon says that while Chelsea remain stubborn regarding Fernandez’s price tag, Madrid won’t be able to purchase him.
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Speaking after Fernandez’s comments following the PSG defeat, former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend made a prediction that has rung true, if Picon’s report is to be believed as accurate.
Townsend said he couldn’t see Chelsea ever receiving bids of more than £75m-£80m for the Blues ace, but expected Chelsea to request a nine-figure fee. It is clear that is exactly what Chelsea are planning.
“If you were to get close to that £100m), I don’t think Chelsea would be disappointed if he had to go. If he has eyes on Real Madrid and had his head turned, I can’t believe they’d get more than £75m or £80m.”
The TalkSPORT pundit and commentator has got it bang on. Chelsea are never going to sell Fernandez for anything below £100m, given his initial cost, and Madrid aren’t going to pay it. It leaves Fernandez stuck.
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Ultimately, only a handful of clubs can sign Fernandez this summer, and the majority of them are in the Middle East, or in the Premier League. Fernandez has made it quite clear that he only wants Real Madrid.
But as Townsend predicted, Chelsea want a figure that Madrid cannot afford. It seems like Chelsea won’t accept what Townsend perceives to be Fernandez’s true value, given it could end up being a £30m+ loss.
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It leaves Fernandez stuck at Chelsea, unless he is tempted by another club, as he has been regarding Madrid. With his contract set to run until the summer of 2032, something will have to give for him to go.
Whether that be Madrid selling a player or two, or Chelsea reducing their price tag for the midfielder. But as things stand, Madrid are not considering Fernandez at that price, and it leaves the midfielder in limbo.
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