Arsenal enter race for unthinkable Premier League transfer as Real Madrid and Man City circle

Arsenal have reportedly joined the race for a world-class midfielder from a Premier League rival, but they face competition from Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Having won the Premier League for the first time since 2004 last week, Arsenal have the opportunity to make history by beating reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday evening (May 30).

While the showpiece event will no doubt be at the forefront of Mikel Arteta and his players' minds, the Arsenal board appear to already be looking ahead to the summer transfer window, which opens on June 15.

Last summer, the Gunners welcomed Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Piero Hincapie (on loan), Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga to the Emirates, with their recruitment ultimately proving successful given Arsenal's Premier League triumph.

However, in order to establish themselves as the dominant force in English football, the north London club may need to strengthen further this summer, with a top-class Premier League midfielder reportedly already in their sights.

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal have joined Manchester City and Real Madrid in the race to sign Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer. The South American registered 15 goals and seven assists despite a disappointing campaign for the Blues, who finished 10th in the Premier League.

Fernandez, who arrived from Benfica for a then-British record transfer fee of £107million in 2023, has been vocal about his future in recent months. The 2022 World Cup winner previously admitted he would like to live in Madrid because it reminds him of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.

Earlier this week, BBC Sport reported that Chelsea value the midfielder at £120million, with the player's agent, Javier Pastore, viewing Real Madrid as Fernandez's ideal destination.

Meanwhile, new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso reportedly sees Fernandez as a crucial part of his plans moving forward.

CaughtOffside also claims the midfielder would be open to a move to Manchester City, where he could reunite with Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Fernandez at Chelsea.

Arteta is said to be an admirer of the Argentinian, although Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United is reportedly his preferred midfield target.

Fernandez is under contract at Chelsea until 2032 and earns around £225,000 per week.

What has Fernandez said about his future?

Following Chelsea's Champions League exit at the hands of PSG in March, Fernandez was asked whether he would still be a Chelsea player next season.

He replied: "I don't know. Right now, I'm focused on Chelsea, then there's the World Cup, and we'll see."

In a separate interview, as previously mentioned, the midfielder revealed his admiration for Madrid, saying: "I'd like to live in Spain. I really like Madrid."

Those comments reportedly led then-Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior to suspend Fernandez for a Premier League match against Manchester City in April, as well as the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale.