Enzo Fernandez transfer twist: Barca try to beat Real Madrid and Man City to Chelsea star

24 Aug 2026 08:35 BST | 4 min read

Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea, 2026/27 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Make us your Google favourite

Manchester City and Real Madrid have competition in the race to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with Barcelona the latest club to target the Argentine star.

Article continues under the video

Going into the final week of the transfer window, Enzo’s future remains one of the big issues that requires a resolution, with Chelsea having failed to stamp out speculation over the 25-year-old.

The Blues set a deadline for City to make a move for the spikey midfielder, but rumours around the player continue to pick up as the transfer deadline approaches, with Barca now credited with interest by Chelsea insider Si Phillips.

Current ETV

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€83.3M - €101.8M

Enzo Fernandez: Will he leave Chelsea?

Chelsea may have attempted to shut down a move from Manchester City, but the Premier League side still ‘expects’ further interest to come from Enzo Maresca’s side. Indeed, Phillips confirms that Enzo’s agent is still in contact with the Etihad outfit, where the South American has a strong relationship with the new manager.

Barcelona, though, have taken note of the situation and have been working to land a player who is also of interest to Real Madrid.

The Catalan side have called Chelsea to ask about Enzo in what would be a spectacular move given that they also beat Los Blancos to sign Rodri.

Even if the Blues were open to a move to Barca, though, the player’s representatives have made Enzo’s stance clear: “Manchester or Madrid, but not Barcelona!”

© IMAGO - Enzo Fernandez, Argentina, 2026 World Cup

Could Real Madrid make an exception for Enzo?

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have claimed that they will make no more signings this summer, yet Enzo made it clear from his statements earlier this year that the Bernabeu side remains his dream destination.

His representatives are still mentioning the Spanish capital as a potential destination, although there is a suggestion that the former Benfica star could hang on for another year at Chelsea in order to make that move a reality.

Certainly, the apparently brutal way in which the possibility of going to Barcelona was shut down by Enzo’s representatives will have gone down well in Madrid.

Analysis: Real Madrid the perfect move for Enzo

© IMAGO - Enzo Fernandez: Real Madrid vs Barcelona Club Fit (SciSports)

Real Madrid is clearly an excellent fit as a club for Enzo, with data analytics experts SciSports rating the move extremely highly.

Its Career Advice algorithm gives Jose Mourinho’s side a Club Fit score of 92 based on a wide variety of metrics, including potential development, likely pitch time, formation and playing style. It’s very rare to see such a high score, and it suggests that Enzo would be a terrific signing for the club.

Chelsea also receive a very impressive 83, with Manchester City sitting on 79. By contrast, Barca only hit 72, suggesting that Enzo Fernandez’s representatives are getting it right when it comes to picking a destination for their man.