Fernandez to Madrid Speculation Heats Up
Cucurella Publicly Urges Enzo Fernandez to Join Him at Real Madrid Amid Chelsea Valuation
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Key Points
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Marc Cucurella's Real Madrid transfer fee was reported at about £51.7m, with other outlets quoting £51.8m or £52m, underscoring a high‑value move that fuels Fernández‑to‑Madrid speculation.
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Madrid allegedly pressured by Jose Mourinho to pursue Cucurella and have Enzo Fernández targeted for midfield, a stance cited by multiple outlets to illustrate Madrid's aggressive recruitment stance this window.
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Chelsea are reportedly close to announcing their first summer signing, Marco Palestra from Atalanta, with Xabi Alonso described as crucial in hijacking the move away from Inter Milan.
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The window is crowded with inflated asking prices, including Malo Gusto at £75m, Nottingham Forest's £130m pursuit for Elliot Anderson, and Newcastle's £100m bid for Sandro Tonali, highlighting the wider market context feeding Fernandez's valuation.
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Cucurella is noted as Spain’s starting left-back at the World Cup, a detail that adds context to his move and his public comments about partnering with Fernández at Real Madrid.
Marc Cucurella has publicly called on Enzo Fernández to join him at Real Madrid, just days after completing his own £51.7m move from Chelsea to the Spanish giants. Speaking from Spain's World Cup training base in Tennessee, Cucurella told El Mundo: "I hope it happens" — referring to a potential reunion with his former Chelsea teammate at the Bernabéu this summer.
Real Madrid, managed by Jose Mourinho, has set Fernández as its top midfield target with Chelsea holding firm at a £120m asking price. ESPN reports that Fernández has already agreed personal terms with Madrid through agent Jorge Mendes, though Chelsea insists no direct contact has been made by the Spanish club.
Cucurella's Public Plea Stirs Anger Among Chelsea Fans
Cucurella signed a six-year deal with Real Madrid on June 15, the same day he started for Spain in their World Cup opener against Cape Verde. Three days later, speaking to The Guardian, he described Madrid's "mystique" and openly urged Fernández — calling him "a great friend" — to make the same move. The comments drew an immediate backlash from Chelsea supporters and pundits, who called it a betrayal of club loyalty.
Chelsea captain Reece James said he was "devastated" to see Cucurella leave, according to talkSPORT. But the bigger concern now is Fernández. The Chelsea Chronicle reports that Fernández has privately told Cucurella he wants the move to happen, and sources suggest he has told Chelsea he will "do everything he can" to force a transfer.
Mourinho Drives Madrid's £120m Chase for Fernández
Mourinho personally pressured Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez to pursue both Cucurella and Fernández this window, according to AS USA. After cooling interest in Michael Olise, Mourinho named Fernández his "priority midfield target" on June 19. Madrid had earlier failed to sign Josko Gvardiol, who chose to stay at Manchester City, pushing the club toward a more experienced profile.
Fernández earned a two-game internal ban at Chelsea under former coach Liam Rosenior for making public comments about Madrid, according to Football London. That history, combined with Chelsea's 10th-place finish this season and their failure to qualify for European football, has made it hard to convince players to stay.
Chelsea Holds Firm at £120m While Scrambling to Replace Depth
Chelsea has not budged on its £120m valuation for Fernández, a price that would rank among the biggest transfers in history. For context, Liverpool's £125m signing of Alexander Isak currently holds the British record, according to CaughtOffside. Madrid is reportedly banking on Fernández's eagerness to move to pressure Chelsea into lowering that number — a tactic the club has used before.
To fill gaps left by departures, Chelsea has moved quickly. Goal.com and Football365 report that the club has struck a verbal agreement to sign 21-year-old Marco Palestra from Atalanta for roughly £47m–£52m. Incoming manager Xabi Alonso, who officially takes charge July 1, reportedly held a personal call with Palestra to convince him to choose Chelsea over Inter Milan.
A Transfer Window Defined by Staggering Price Tags
Fernández's £120m valuation sits inside a wider market where fees have spiraled out of control. Nottingham Forest is reportedly chasing Elliot Anderson for £130m — which would set a new British transfer record — while Newcastle values Sandro Tonali at £100m amid interest from Tottenham and Manchester City, according to the Daily Mail and Manchester Evening News.
Financial analysts warn the market is "broken," with squad-level players commanding fees once reserved for Ballon d'Or contenders. If Fernández moves for £120m and Anderson for £130m, that is over £250m spent on just two midfielders in a single window. Chelsea, already under scrutiny for its expensive signings under the BlueCo ownership era, faces pressure to comply with PSR — Profit and Sustainability Rules — which limit how much clubs can spend relative to their revenue.
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