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It's official: Enzo Fernandez 'wants to leave' Chelsea

Updated: 27 May 2026 16:47 BST | 4 min read

Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea, 2025/26

Tom Weber

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has decided to pursue a transfer to Real Madrid, with his agent already in contact with the Spanish giants.

The Argentina international has made his decision: he wants out of Stamford Bridge this summer. According to Ben Jacobs, Chelsea's failure to qualify for European competition was the straw that broke the camel's back for Fernandez.

The 25-year-old appeared to wave goodbye to the travelling supporters who made the trek up to Sunderland after Sunday's abject defeat, which left the Blues in a lowly 10th place in the Premier League table.

Calum McFarlane's men played as though they were purposefully "tanking" to avoid qualifying for the Conference League again, which simply does not make financial sense for a club the size of Chelsea.

However, not qualifying for Europe at all has now had the effect of pushing Fernandez over the edge. He is actively looking to depart the club and has his heart set on joining Real Madrid, with whom he publicly flirted during the previous international break.

Chelsea's Fernandez stance

Jacobs reports that Chelsea are willing to sanction a departure of Fernandez, who ceased to be considered "untouchable" when he talked up a potential move to Madrid in March.

However, the Blues will not sell him cheaply. On the contrary, Chelsea are looking to make the Argentine their club-record departure and are demanding a whopping €138 million (£120m).

Enzo Fernandez

Contract talks have completely failed, with Fernandez no longer engaging in conversations over an extension with the Blues. His agent, former PSG midfielder Javier Pastore, admitted earlier this year that the terms offered by Chelsea had been underwhelming.

Pastore, Jacobs claims, has already made contact with Real Madrid. Fernandez would "welcome" a bid from the Spanish giants, but they have yet to decide what kind of midfield profile they want to pursue.

It is thought that Real Madrid are looking for a more defensive-minded player like Man City star Rodri. Fernandez can play that role, but he has primarily been used further forward at Chelsea - and to great effect.

Jacobs, who recently confirmed claims from Germany that there had been preliminary talks between Man City and Fernandez, has now joined the growing chorus of reporters who state that the Etihad club are still prioritising Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.

This leaves Chelsea in a tricky position. They want a quick resolution to this saga to avoid it having a destabilising effect ahead of Xabi Alonso's arrival as manager, but their hefty financial demands, coupled with a limited pool of options for Fernandez, mean that this topic is unlikely to go away anytime soon.