Los Blancos need midfield boost but Argentine has been criticised for his comments about leaving Stamford Bridge
Real Madrid will consider a deal for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez this summer as the Spanish side explore options to strengthen their midfield.
Madrid are understood to be targeting a playmaker capable of controlling games, having also been linked to Manchester City’s Rodri, but any potential deal for Fernandez could be complicated by the high fee Chelsea are expected to demand.
Reports in Spain suggest that, to make a concrete bid for the Argentine, Madrid may consider player sales to fund a move, with Eduardo Camavinga mentioned as a possible departure following an underwhelming period under manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
If Chelsea fail to qualify for the Champions League by the end of the season, it could also potentially accelerate negotiations. The Blues are currently sixth in the Premier League, with Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United all ahead of them.
Fernandez recently spoke about his admiration for the Spanish capital and praised former Madrid players Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, adding to speculation about his future.
Following Chelsea’s heavy aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, the World Cup winner said: “I don’t know. My focus is here [at Chelsea] for now, we have eight Premier League matches to play and the FA Cup. Then the World Cup and we’ll see after that.”
He also said: “I always tell [my wife] that if I have to choose a city to live in Europe, I really like Madrid. It’s very similar to Buenos Aires, also because of the food.”
The comment drew a strong reaction from former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who criticised Fernandez for his timing.
“That’s not a leader,” Mikel said in reference to the fact that Fernandez is one of Chelsea’s captains. “That’s something where if you have leaders, if you have leaders that players respect and look up to, you wouldn’t come out and make those statements.”
“You don’t make that statement after we’ve been disgracefully dumped out of the Champions League, wearing the captain armband. No player is bigger than the football club. If he’s had enough, put your hands up and f**k off. And we move on.”
