Chelsea have set their asking price for Enzo Fernandez with the midielder reportedly keen to leave the club this summer.
Fernandez has repeatedly cast doubt over his future at Chelsea this season as results saw the club tumble out of the Champions League and fail to qualify for European football next season.
After Chelsea’s disappointing defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, he refused to rule out the possibility of leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer in an interview with ESPN Argentina.
Fernandez later confirmed there had been ‘no talks’ with Real Madrid amid links with the Spanish club, but the midfielder stoked the flames once more over the March international break when he said that Madrid would be his ideal place to live if he were to leave London.
Those comments earned the Chelsea vice-captain a two-match suspension from Liam Rosenior, but the 25-year-old still appears keen to explore a move this summer.
Widespread reports indicate that Fernandez remains a part of Chelsea’s plans next season, but the Blues are said to be willing to consider a sale for a fee of around £120million.
That figure would mark the club’s record sale and eclipse the £107m fee paid to sign him from Benfica in January 2023.
Whether any suitors emerge to reach that figure remains to be seen, though.
Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, is said to have been in contact with Real Madrid, the player’s preferred choice, but the Spanish club have also been linked with a move for Rodri, a more defensively-minded player.
Real would also likely have to raise significant funds through player sales in order to meet Chelsea’s asking price.
Manchester City were also linked with a move for Fernandez in a deal that would have seen the midfielder reunited with Enzo Maresca, who is widely expected to replace Pep Guardiola this summer.
But reports suggest that City are not set to pursue a deal and will instead look to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.