6 hours ago
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Chelsea have no intention of selling Enzo Fernández and are determined to see off any attempt by Real Madrid to sign the midfielder this summer.
Xabi Alonso, who is due to take over from Carlo Ancelotti as Madrid’s manager, is looking to add more control to his midfield and Fernández is one of the names on the club’s shortlist. The La Liga side are also tracking Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson. Madrid have considered trying to hijack Arsenal’s move for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi but the Premier League side are confident that a deal for the Spain international will be sealed soon.
Madrid have been deposed as champions of Spain by Barcelona and issues in midfield were exposed during their defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League. Toni Kroos retired last summer and Luka Modric, 39, is no longer the force of old. Madrid, who are signing the Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen for £50m, want a player who can pull the strings in midfield.
Multiple reports in Argentina have claimed that Madrid will push to sign Fernández, who has enjoyed an impressive season for Chelsea. However there is no panic at Stamford Bridge about the noise around the Argentina international, who was signed from Benfica for £106.7m in January 2023. Fernández has captained Chelsea this season, has improved his goalscoring output under the guidance of Enzo Maresca and has a contract that runs until 2032.
There is no indication that the 24-year-old, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, is unhappy at Chelsea. Fernández would need to make a huge fuss to force an exit. There are also doubts over whether Madrid have the funds required to tempt Chelsea into a sale.
The situation is similar with Mac Allister, Fernández’s international teammate. It is understood that Madrid are huge admirers of Mac Allister but prising him away from Liverpool would be hugely challenging. The former Brighton midfielder, who moved to Anfield in 2023, is a key member of Arne Slot’s title-winning side and is likely to be far too expensive for Madrid.
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Larsson, a 20-year-old Sweden international, represents a more affordable option. The midfielder has scored three goals in 33 appearances in the Bundesliga for Frankfurt this season. Frankfurt have qualified for the Champions League and are canny sellers.
