Arsenal have been named as a surprise suitor for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Real Madrid were deemed the favourites to snap up the Argentinian international, but Sport Italia journalist Gianluigi Longari claims that the La Liga giants will have to sell a player before making an offer. It could present an opportunity for others, and he says the Gunners are one of two Premier League clubs keeping an eye on the situation:
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“The Enzo Fernandez topic remains open as he pushes to leave Chelsea. Real Madrid is the first option, but they must make a sacrifice [a player] to present an offer to the Blues.”
“In the Premier League, Manchester City and Arsenal are gathering information on the Argentine.”
Fernandez would be very expensive
The biggest obstacle to any deal would be the midfielder’s asking price. Chelsea are currently holding out for a fee in the region of £120m.
Considering Mikel Arteta’s side have baulked at meeting the valuation for the likes of Sandro Tonali, who was on the market for less than Fernandez, it doesn’t seem like a particularly realistic transfer at the moment.
Arsenal are focused on recruiting another midfielder
While the Gunners may well be keeping tabs on Fernandez, it is clear that their top priority is Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes. One informal offer has been made for the Brazilian already, and there is an expectation that a follow-up proposal will be tabled soon.
It has been suggested that the midfielder could be available for £65m, but the Magpies will be reluctant to offload another senior player, having allowed both Tonali and Anthony Gordon to leave St James’ Park over the past month.
While Arteta seems determined to strengthen his options in the middle of the park, it won’t be easy to land either Guimaraes or Fernandez.