This summer transfer window was always going to be a tricky one for Chelsea. They do not have Champions League football. In fact, they won’t be playing in Europe at all. On top of that, the club have not had a long-term front-of-shirt sponsor for years now. They have also already spent close to two billion pounds on building this underperforming squad. And finally, they were handed a UEFA fine last year, and continue to be monitored.
So, all of these things combined, it looks like Chelsea will have to be very smart with their investment strategy this summer. And that might mean that they could have to let go of a few key players, just to make the finances on a rebuild under Xabi Alonso work.
The player who has emerged as the most likely one to leave this summer is Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine midfielder has not been able to agree on a new contract with the club. On top of that, he seems to be keen on competing at the highest level and winning trophies. That is not happening at Chelsea right now.
So, all things considered, a summer exit is starting to feel inevitable, although it is not ideal for Chelsea to let go of a midfielder who had 22 goal contributions in the 25/26 campaign. They simply do not have anyone close to that output in the middle of the park.
Journalist confirms Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez decision
According to Chelsea.news, journalist Simon Phillips says that Chelsea accept that Fernandez wants out. The club want £100m, but “we could see a deal agreed for something closer to £85m.”
Now, it is about finding a club willing to pay that sort of money to sign Fernandez. Manchester City have been brought up as a possible destination.
Enzo Maresca is set to replace Pep Guardiola this summer. And he has already worked very successfully with Fernandez at Chelsea.
We all know that combination works. And while it would be an issue to strengthen a rival with a signing that is almost guaranteed to succeed, considering their history, no other club might be willing to come close to what Man City might be able to offer.
Real Madrid and PSG also linked with Chelsea midfielder
Real Madrid are the club that have been linked with Fernandez on a constant basis all these years. Yet, now when the time appears to have come for him to depart Chelsea, there is little fresh noise surrounding Los Blancos.
Considering how Real Madrid have done things over the past half-decade or so, it is hard to imagine that they would be willing to pay close to £100 million on signing Fernandez.
PSG are another seemed with a reported interest in him. And we all know they have the financial muscle to pull it off. If either of these two come in, one would imagine that Chelsea would be happier to sanction the move rather than seeing Fernandez join a direct rival in Man City.