Real Madrid is no longer the only club vying to sign Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez during the upcoming summer transfer window, as another Premier League giant has joined the pursuit of the Argentine star.
Fernandez’s departure from Chelsea seems imminent following disagreements with the Blues’ management in recent months due to his comments about his future. However, the 2022 World Cup winner’s next destination remains unknown.
Manchester City wants to sign Enzo Fernandez
The Athletic reports that Manchester City is the latest club to express interest in signing Enzo, as the English club looks to bolster its midfield with a world-class player.
Bernardo Silva will officially leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, and the search is underway for a replacement to fill the void left by the Portuguese international in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Not only that, but City’s management is also concerned about losing Rodri, whose contract expires in the summer of 2027, and renewal negotiations have stalled considerably.
Therefore, Enzo Fernandez has emerged as the ideal option to bolster the midfield, given his exceptional attacking and defensive capabilities. His experience in the Premier League would also allow him to adapt immediately to City and make a significant impact on the pitch.
Real Madrid remains Enzo’s preferred destination
Meanwhile, Real Madrid remains Enzo Fernandez’s preferred destination, and according to Argentinian media, the player hopes to wear the royal white jersey in the near future.
The biggest obstacle to Real Madrid signing Enzo is Chelsea. The London club will not allow the player to leave for a significantly lower price than they paid Benfica for him in the winter of 2022 (€120 million), and Los Blancos have no intention of paying such a sum for any player at the moment.
Consequently, Manchester City’s chances of signing Enzo appear greater than Real Madrid’s, given the English club’s significantly stronger financial position. Florentino Perez’s administration would first need to sell one or more star players to finance a deal of this magnitude.
Chelsea will try to keep Enzo Fernandez
While Enzo is closer to leaving, Chelsea’s management will attempt to keep him at Stamford Bridge for at least another season. They have several ways to convince him that staying with the Blues is currently the best option for him.
Iraola tops the list of candidates to succeed Rossinior at Chelsea
One of these methods was the departure of manager Liam Rossinior, whose relationship with the player has become strained. Perhaps appointing another world-class manager could contribute to Enzo staying.
Enzo’s agent, Javier Bastoni, has made it clear that renewal negotiations with Chelsea will begin after the 2026 World Cup. If no agreement is reached, he will work to find a new club for him quickly.
In this case, Chelsea will also need to increase Enzo’s salary to match his value as one of the best players in the world, especially since it is highly likely that the Blues will not reach the Champions League next season, and consequently the player’s desire to leave will increase.
