Marc Cucurella expects Real Madrid to push for Enzo Fernandez this summer, and hopes the former Chelsea team-mate joins in Spain. Cucurella has already completed a move worth up to 60m (51.8m), and Real Madrid are now monitoring Fernandez, who Chelsea are understood to value at about 120m amid growing pressure to sell key players.
The left-back finalised the transfer before Spain began the World Cup campaign in North America, becoming one of three new arrivals in Madrid so far. Ibrahima Konate arrives from Liverpool and Bernardo Silva from Manchester City, both on free transfers, while Real Madrid have also brought back Jose Mourinho ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Speculation around Fernandez has built since April, when the midfielder hinted at interest
in Real Madrid. Those comments led former Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior to remove Fernandez from the squad at the time. Chelsea’s failure to qualify for any European competition for next season has now increased the likelihood of departures from Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella believes the situation could help Real Madrid secure Fernandez and reunite the pair. "He's a great player and a friend of mine, Cucurella said.He congratulated me on the signing. I hope it happens. I would be very happy. We were very happy at Chelsea, and to have the opportunity to both sign for Real Madrid in the same summer. I hope he's lucky and becomes a Real Madrid player. "
Fernandez has been central to Chelsea’s plans since joining from Benfica in January 2023 for a reported 106m (121m). The midfielder has made 169 appearances in all competitions, scoring 31 goals with 29 assists. During that period, Fernandez has helped Chelsea win both the Conference League and the Club World Cup under Enzo Maresca.
The 25-year-old featured 61 times across competitions in 2025-26, recording 26 goal involvements. That figure includes 16 goals and 10 assists, with only Joao Pedro producing more for Chelsea, with 29. Those numbers underline why Chelsea are demanding around 120m, and why Real Madrid see Fernandez as a suitable addition alongside Konate and Silva.
Chelsea are reshaping the squad under new head coach Xabi Alonso, who was appointed in May. Calum McFarlane guided the team through the final part of the recent season after Rosenior’s dismissal, while Maresca had been sacked at the start of January. The coaching changes reflect broader adjustments as Chelsea plan for a campaign without European fixtures.
As part of that rebuild, Chelsea are close to securing Atalanta defender Marco Palestra for a fee above 43m, expected to be the first signing of the Alonso era. Right-back Malo Gusto is also studying options away from Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea said to want 75m. Fernandez’s future will sit alongside these decisions as Chelsea and Real Madrid continue transfer discussions.
For Real Madrid, the combination of Cucurella, Konate and Silva already refreshes the squad before 2026-27 under Mourinho. Any agreement for Fernandez would further reshape midfields at both clubs, while Chelsea’s incoming targets such as Palestra highlight the scale of change, as each side prepares for different challenges in domestic and European football.
