Xabi Alonso handed nightmare as club reject three Chelsea bids for top 'Enzo Fernandez replacement'
Chelsea have reportedly had three separate bids rejected for a Premier League midfielder who could replace Enzo Fernandez at Stamford Bridge should the Argentine sign for Manchester City.
Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City throughout the summer transfer window, which closes on September 1, with Chelsea seeking £120million for the South American.
As things stand, Fernandez remains a Chelsea player ahead of the Blues’ trip to Fulham on Monday (August 24).
A number of players have already departed, with Trevoh Chalobah joining Serie A side Como, Marc Cucurella signing for Real Madrid and Tyrique George moving to fellow Premier League side Everton after a loan spell at the Toffees last term.
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Richard Olise, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Frankie Runham, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Andrey Santos, Jimi Tauriainen and Joseph Wheeler-Henry have also left the club.
It has already been an active summer for new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso in terms of incomings, with Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarria, Jordan Henderson, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Danny Welbeck, Morgan Rogers, Destan Satpayev and Geovany Quenda arriving.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been relentless in their pursuit of Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, with The i Paper reporting on Monday that the Blues have had three separate bids turned down for the Englishman.
The Cherries want the player to remain at the south coast club despite Scott’s representatives breaking off contract talks in July due to transfer interest.
Chelsea have since seen three bids, between £62million and £68million, rejected by Bournemouth, who have reaffirmed their desire to retain Scott’s services as they prepare to compete in the Europa League for the first time this season.
The i Paper reports: “Chelsea want Scott as they continue to juggle their midfield options, but sources told The i Paper the ‘not-for-sale’ stance on Bournemouth’s star players has been clearly communicated to the players, agents and rival clubs.”
Scott is under contract at Bournemouth until 2028.
Manchester City, who have already sold Rodri to Barcelona while his fellow Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez continues to be linked with a move, are also interested in Scott as they look to add to their depth in midfield, having signed Elliot Anderson and reached an agreement over an £86million move for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Xabi Alonso on Enzo Fernandez’s future at Chelsea
Chelsea have also made clear that they will not sell Fernandez unless a replacement arrives.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League opener, Alonso addressed Fernandez’s situation as well as voicing how he is “really happy” with the club’s business so far this summer.
Alonso said: “I think that we have made many right choices. Very good balance in terms of quality, in terms of personality, maturity, different stages of the career. We've got good momentum and we are in a good position I would say.”
When questioned on Fernandez, he added: “Enzo is a Chelsea player. He's a top, top player. He's training really well since he started 10 days ago with the team, very integrated. We are happy with him and he's getting ready for Monday.
“He's training really well and I see him with a really good attitude and that's what we want. Everyone is trying their best to prepare for the kick-off of the Premier League.”
Topics: Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez
Luke Davies