REUTERS
Chelsea are monitoring Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal as a potential long-term replacement for Enzo Fernandez.
Teenager Bernal is a product of the Catalan club’s renowned La Masia youth academy and already has one full international cap for Spain.
But the midfielder, 19, is now facing a more uncertain future with the Spanish champions following the big-money £65.4 million signing of Rodri from Manchester City in the summer.
After starting the first two La Liga matches for the Nou Camp giants, Bernal has slipped down the pecking order.
And that may prompt Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso to make a move for the impressive youngster when the January transfer window opens.
Alonso has money in the bank from doing excellent business after taking over at Stamford Bridge in July.
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Chelsea are in the black by around £35m after large scale ins and outs but also from banking a staggering £125m for midfielder Fernandez who joined City for the joint-British record fee on transfer deadline day.
The Blues’ vice-captain moved after Rodri joined Barcelona and the transfer merry-go-round could yet make another turn come the new year.
Manchester United are also keeping tabs on Bernal but the player is more likely to join Chelsea if their current level of interest gathers pace.
Chelsea Premier League Fixtures
It is early days but Bernal plays in the same position as Fernandez and eyebrows were raised when manager Alonso played two right backs in Malo Gusto and captain Reece James in midfield during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.
Moises Caicedo is injured and veteran Jordan Henderson is close to full fitness which would ease the gaps in that area.
But Bernal would be seen as a long-term signing rather than an immediate fix. He was a regular last season as Barca secured their 29th La Liga title.
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Bernal recognised by Spain after strong performances
Marc Bernal
His performances were enough to earn him a call up to Spain’s provisional World Cup squad and he was rewarded with a first full cap in a pre-tournament friendly against Iraq, aged 19.
After starting the first three matches of this season, Bernal has been dropped to the bench in favour of Rodri - who was named player of the tournament at the World Cup for his part in Spain’s victorious campaign in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Chelsea have shifted priority from buying wholly inexperienced players to mature themselves in favour of drafting in more experienced players who are Premier League-ready.
But if Bernal’s situation does not improve at Barcelona, then Chelsea are one of a number of top European clubs keeping a close eye on developments.