Real Madrid drop bombshell Enzo Fernandez statement as Chelsea set £120m price | Football | Sport

Real Madrid have made it clear they have no intention of signing Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer, despite being repeatedly linked with the Argentina World Cup star. Fernandez informed the Blues several months ago of his wish to leave Stamford Bridge, aware that Los Blancos had shown a strong interest in his services.

Chelsea made it plain to Fernandez and any prospective suitors that the Argentina international would be free to go, but only for a fee of £120million. Reports from abroad in recent days suggested Chelsea and Real Madrid were in discussions over a potential transfer, though Los Blancos have now officially refuted those claims. Fernandez’s outspoken agent, Javier Pastore, stated on Thursday that his client is keen on a move to the Bernabeu, adding that the interest is reciprocated.

Yet in a dramatic twist, the Spanish capital club have released a strongly-worded statement denying any negotiations have taken place, or that any “effort” has been made, insisting they will not be pursuing a deal for Fernandez in the weeks ahead.

A statement from Madrid read: “In light of the reports and statements that have appeared in recent days regarding an alleged interest from Real Madrid CF in the player Enzo Fernandez, the club wishes to state that it has not made any effort, either direct or indirect, to sign the aforementioned player and, likewise, has no intention of undertaking such an operation.

“Real Madrid wishes to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez, a great footballer whose career and quality are widely known, as well as for Chelsea FC, a club with which it maintains 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 governed the actions of Real Madrid, the club considers it necessary to categorically deny speculations that are unfounded and do not correspond to reality.

“Real Madrid regrets that, despite the clarity of the facts and the lack 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.”

Sources at Chelsea remain unfazed by the situation. The club never had any genuine intention of offloading Fernndez and continue to hold the 25-year-old in high regard.

There was, nonetheless, an acknowledgement of his desire to depart, with the club prepared to sanction a move should the right offer materialise.