Marc Cucurella has publicly urged Enzo Fernandez to follow him from Chelsea to Real Madrid after completing his own £51.8million summer switch.
Cucurella’s transfer was confirmed last week after Madrid manager Jose Mourinho insisted on signing the 27-year-old left back. Mourinho has also installed Fernandez as a midfield target, though Chelsea have slapped a £120m valuation on the Argentina international, 25.
Despite reports on Wednesday claiming Madrid had officially opened club-to-club talks, Chelsea sources told Daily Mail Sport that they had not yet been contacted by their La Liga counterparts to formally begin discussing a deal for Fernandez. The Premier League side are anticipating an approach, while personal terms are not expected to be an issue between Fernandez and Madrid.
At the risk of upsetting his former club and fans, Cucurella has now had his own say while away with Spain at the World Cup.
‘He’s a great player and a friend of mine,’ Cucurella said in an interview published by Spanish newspaper Marca. ‘He congratulated me on the signing. I hope it happens. I would be very happy.
Marc Cucurella has risked upsetting Chelsea by publicly urging Enzo Fernandez to join Real
Cucurella has signed for the Spanish giants from Chelsea in a deal worth £51.8million
‘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 is known to be interested in the move to Madrid, though it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will allow any wiggle room in their £120m valuation.
This summer has seen a surge in clubs asking for large fees, with the Blues also insisting they want £75m for their 23-year-old right back Malo Gusto, who has interest from Manchester City and several other sides in Europe. Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest have been pushing for a £130m package for Elliot Anderson, while Newcastle want £100m for Sandro Tonali.
Chelsea are on the verge of announcing their first new signing of the summer in Marco Palestra from Atalanta, with incoming manager Xabi Alonso crucial in hijacking his proposed move to Inter Milan. Palestra, a 21-year-old full back and wing back, is set to cost the Blues around £43m.
Meanwhile, Italian side Como, managed by former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, are interested in signing Trevoh Chalobah this summer. Chalobah, 26, is currently away with England at the World Cup.
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