Chelsea
Chelsea have been exploring a deal for one of the best midfielders in Serie A in the background of their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez, it has been revealed.
Fernandez is becoming the most expensive signing in not only Chelsea’s history, but also all of British football’s. The Blues could only do business with Benfica at the value of his release clause, standing at a whopping €120million (£106m).
They reached a breakthrough at long last on deadline day, so are ready to welcome the World Cup winner to their squad.
He will help strengthen their midfield, which has been in need of an evolution. On Tuesday, they sold Jorginho to Arsenal six months before the end of his contract, for example.
There have also been doubts about the long-term future of N’Golo Kante. Therefore, Chelsea have needed to breathe new life into their engine room.
By securing the services of Fernandez – who was the World Cup’s best young player – they will be doing so.
However, even after parting with so much money to address the issue, Chelsea may need to give more attention to their midfield, especially if Kante leaves on a free transfer in the summer.
Incidentally, reports have been emerging about another high-profile midfielder who has been on their radar.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Chelsea made an approach to Inter Milan for Nicolo Barella on deadline day.
Barella is one of the best players in his role in Serie A and was a member of the Italy squad that won Euro 2020, alongside Jorginho. He has been with Inter since he left Cagliari in 2019 and has since accumulated 161 appearances for the club.
In that time, he has contributed 17 goals and an impressive 41 assists. Along the way, Inter have won Serie A and the Coppa Italia once each, and the Supercoppa Italiana twice.
As a result, Barella is a player of high pedigree. With his 26th birthday approaching next week, he is about to enter his peak years as well.
Chelsea fail with first Barella attempt
But any hopes Chelsea have of bringing him to Stamford Bridge look slim. The report claims that Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio and CEO Beppe Marotta responded with a clear ‘no’ when the Premier League side asked about Barella’s availability.
The former Como loanee is still under contract with Inter until 2026.
In the hours since their approach to Barella, Chelsea have since secured an agreement for Fernandez. Whether they come back to the Italian as another reinforcement in future, only time will tell.
But it will be interesting to see if they can test Inter’s resolve in that case. Benfica didn’t want to sell Fernandez either, but Chelsea eventually got their way.
A force to be reckoned with in the transfer market, Chelsea could yet keep Barella in mind as someone else who could add to what they already have in the middle of the park.
Although he has never played in the Premier League before, Barella has a good reputation. He has long seemed suitable for English football if someone like Chelsea can convince Inter to sell in the end.
