Chelsea demand £120m valuation as Enzo Fernandez seeks exit

Chelsea are demanding a transfer fee of approximately £120 million for Enzo Fernandez, who has expressed a desire to leave the club following their failure to qualify for European competition. The 25-year-old Argentina international, who joined from Benfica in 2023 for £107 million, is contracted until 2032, a term that underpins the club’s current valuation.

Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, is actively exploring potential moves, with Real Madrid identified as his preferred destination. However, reports indicate that the Spanish giants are unwilling to meet Chelsea’s asking price without raising significant funds through player sales. Real Madrid have also been linked with Manchester City midfielder Rodri, further complicating their financial positioning.

Manchester City are also being considered as a potential destination, though their transfer priorities appear to lie elsewhere. The club is expected to appoint former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor in the coming days, but their primary focus is on signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson rather than Fernandez. Meanwhile, Paris St-Germain have downplayed the likelihood of a transfer despite previous speculation.

Despite his desire to depart, Fernandez remains part of the club’s planning for the upcoming season. He scored 15 goals and provided seven assists last season, finishing as runner-up in Chelsea’s player of the season award. His apparent farewell to supporters after the final-day defeat at Sunderland has heightened speculation, but Chelsea remain open to offers that meet their valuation.

Senior figures at Stamford Bridge acknowledge the need to invest in established, Premier League-ready talent for incoming manager Xabi Alonso. The club finished 10th in the Premier League last season and failed to win a trophy, prompting a strategic review of the squad as they prepare for a new era under Alonso.