Chelsea issue firm response to Real Madrid over Enzo Fernandez interest

Chelsea are determined to keep hold of midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer in the face of interest from Real Madrid, a report has claimed.

The £106.8m signing has been speculatively linked with Madrid for the majority of his time at Stamford Bridge and reports of the Spanish side's interest in Fernandez have once again ramped up in recent weeks.

Sky Sports name Fernandez as a "long-term target" for Madrid but quickly play down the idea of a summer transfer, insisting Chelsea are determined to keep hold of the Argentina international.

There is thought to be interest in Fernandez from the other side of Madrid, where a number of Atletico's Argentinian players have urged the midfielder to make the move, but Fernandez made it clear in March that he remains committed to Chelsea.

Similarly, Chelsea have made it clear they will not entertain interest in Fernandez's midfield partner, Moises Caicedo.

Caicedo recently emerged as an ambitious target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League but, like Fernandez, there are a number of factors which make an exit nearly impossible. The Ecuador international is under contract until 2031, was signed for a British record £115m and has been among the Premier League's best midfielders this season.

Chelsea's midfield is not expected to undergo many significant changes this summer, with Fernandez and Caicedo impressing and young Romeo Lavia catching the eye in his latest bid to overcome long-term fitness issues.

"When he is fit, Romeo is one of the best midfielders, because he can defend very well, he can attack, he can break the line with the passes between the lines," Maresca said recently. "It's unbelievable. He is very good and hopefully we can have him until the end of the season."

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