Chelsea respond to Real Madrid’s public move to unsettle Enzo Fernandez
Real Madrid are ramping up their interest in Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea ponder over what to do with their prized asset.
Sources told Football Insider that Real Madrid are lining up a double swoop for Moises Caicedo and Fernandez.
The pair are two of the most in-form midfielders in world football at the moment with any fee for Caicedo expected to be above £115million.
Los Blancos remain determined to bring one of the duo to the Santiago Bernabeu as Xabi Alonso aims to build his perfect squad.
Chelsea happy with Fernandez progress as Real Madrid circle with mouth-watering offer
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, it would take a lot to persuade the Blues to part with the Argentine.
Sources told Football Insider that Chelsea would only consider selling Fernandez if they received an offer of over £100m.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast over Real Madrid’s rampant pursuit of the ex-Benfica starlet, I explained: “Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Enzo Fernandez.
“They were interested before he did make that move to Chelsea and we know with Real Madrid being constantly linked with players, [it] can maybe turn a player’s head or unsettle them as well.
“I’m sure Real Madrid will continue to keep tabs on Enzo Fernandez. A lot will depend on the player and what he wants to do.
“It seems he’s happy and content with life at Chelsea and Chelsea are happy with Enzo Fernandez who has been playing in a bit more of an attacking role under Enzo Maresca.
“He’s really impressed in that role as well. So given how well, he’s performed for Chelsea with such a long contract in place, I could not imagine that Chelsea would look to sell him unless somebody was able to make an offer well in excess of what Chelsea paid for him.
“Although Real Madrid do seem like they are interested, it seems a difficult deal to do.”
Chelsea set to dip into La Liga to tempt Ronald Araujo away from Barcelona
Sources told Football Insider that Chelsea have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo.
The Blues are currently experiencing a centre-back crisis and the Uruguayan could be the ideal solution for Maresca.
The 26-year-old remains one of Hansi Flick’s first names on the team sheet at the Camp Nou yet would certainly be tempted by a move to the Premier League.
However, the extortionate €1billion (£870.1m) release clause may put the west London outfit off as they try to negotiate a much lower fee for the defender’s services.