Real Madrid denies contact with Chelsea star
Real Madrid has denied suggestions it has been in contact with Chelsea over a move for Enzo Fernandez, having recently attempted to shut down speculation that it is looking to sign Michael Olise from Bayern Munich.
Madrid had already released an almost identical statement last month regarding Olise, who has been a standout performer for France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It has been a busy summer in the Spanish capital, with Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva all joining the club ahead of Jose Mourinho's return as head coach.
It has also had a bid rejected for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, with president Florentino Perez promising to spend big after he was re-elected.
Fernandez was seen as a potential option after hinting at a move to Madrid last season, in comments that led to him being dropped by former Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior.
Madrid has insisted he is not on the club's radar and no contact has been made with Fernandez's camp.
"In view of the information and statements that have appeared in recent days about an alleged interest of Real Madrid C.F. in the player Enzo Fernandez, the club wishes to state that it has not carried out any management, either direct or indirect, aimed at the signing of the aforementioned player and, likewise, has no intention of undertaking such an operation," a statement from Real Madrid read.
"Real Madrid would like to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez, a great footballer whose career and quality are well known, as well as for Chelsea FC, a club with which he has an excellent institutional relationship.
"Precisely because of the respect that an entity like Chelsea FC deserves and because of the principles of institutional loyalty that have always presided over Real Madrid's performance, the club considers it necessary to categorically deny speculations that are unfounded and do not respond to reality.
"Real Madrid regrets that, despite the clarity of the facts and the absence of any action on the part of the club, information continues to be disseminated that does not correspond to reality and that only contributes to generating confusion among fans and unnecessarily harming the entities and people involved."
Madrid's statement comes just one day after Fernandez's agent, Javier Pastore, announced the midfielder was "looking at possibilities" to leave Chelsea.
Since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Benfica in January 2023, in what was then a Premier League-record deal, Fernandez has made 169 appearances in all competitions.
Reports suggest that if Fernandez does want to force a move, Chelsea would seek a transfer fee of £120 million ($230.9 million) for a player who still has six years remaining on his contract.
