Chelsea set Enzo Fernandez asking price as club-record fee demanded for wantaway midfielder | OneFootball

Argentine prepared to move on after Blues miss out on European football

The Blues finished a lowly tenth in the Premier League after a final-day defeat at Sunderland, missing out on a spot in the Conference League by one point and therefore consigning themselves to no European football next season.

The Argentine himself enjoyed a fine season in spite of Chelsea’s struggles, scoring 15 goals from midfield and assisting a further seven.

He is open to moving on, nonetheless.

Standard Sport understands Fernandez remains in Chelsea’s plans for next season, but the club would be open to discussing a move should they be approached. A £120m fee would convince them to sell, with the player’s preference an exit from the club this summer despite their keenness, overall, to keep him.

Wantaway: Enzo Fernandez scored against Tottenham in what could prove to be his final appearance at Stamford Bridge

PA

That would comfortably rank as Chelsea’s record sale, eclipsing the £103m they received from Real Madrid in exchange for Eden Hazard in 2019.

They signed the Argentine from Benfica in January 2023 for a cool £107m and he remains under contract until 2032.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are both keeping tabs on his situation, though no advanced talks have yet taken place.

Fernandez, Chelsea’s vice-captain, was handed a two-match suspension by the club in March for comments in which he appeared to posture for a move to Los Blancos. He later chose to holiday in Madrid alongside Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella as Calum McFarlane handed the Blues two days off following the FA Cup semi-final defeat of Leeds.

Manchester City could prove a tempting destination for Fernandez, as they are expected to appoint ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s replacement. They have also been widely linked with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.

Fernandez is also expected to represent his nation at this summer’s World Cup as Argentina look to defend their title.

Another player who could leave Chelsea this summer is Filip Jorgensen, who Standard Sport has reported has made clear his intention to move this summer in pursuit of increased playing time.