Real Madrid have 'no intention' of signing Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez played in Argentina’s first two World Cup group games and is expected to return to the starting line-up for Friday’s round of 32 game with Cape Verde.

Real Madrid say they have “no intention” of trying to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea this summer.

After Chelsea failed to secure European qualification last season, well-placed sources say Fernandez is keen to leave and join Real.

The Spanish giants are reportedly interested in signing the Argentina midfielder, who cost Chelsea a then-British record fee of £107m in February 2023.

But Real issued a statement on Friday insisting those reports “do not correspond to reality”.

“In light of the reports and statements that have appeared in recent days regarding an alleged interest from Real Madrid in the player Enzo Fernandez, the club wishes to state that it has not made any effort, either direct or indirect, to sign the aforementioned player and, likewise, has no intention of undertaking such an operation,” reads the statement.

Chelsea have confirmed they have not received any club-to-club approach from Real for Fernandez.

The Blues have valued the 25-year-old at £120m, should serious interest materialise, but are not actively looking to sell and would be happy to retain him as a key player under new coach Xabi Alonso.

Previous boss Liam Rosenior handed Fernandez a two-game suspension in April for saying he did not know whether he would remain at Chelsea next season and that he would “love” to live in Madrid.

The Premier League club signed Fernandez from Benfica shortly after he helped Argentina win the World Cup for a third time at the end of 2022.

He has gone on to win the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, scoring 15 goals in all competitions last season, and he remains an important player for Argentina at this summer’s World Cup.

Real have already signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea this summer, acquiring the Spain left-back in a deal worth up to £51.8m.

Their statement added that the club “wishes to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez, a great footballer whose career and quality are widely known, as well as for Chelsea FC, a club with which it maintains an excellent institutional relationship.

“Precisely because of the respect that an entity like Chelsea FC deserves and because of the principles of institutional loyalty that have always governed the actions of Real Madrid, the club considers it necessary to categorically deny speculations that are unfounded and do not correspond to reality.

“Real Madrid regrets that, despite the clarity of the facts and the lack of any action on the part of the club, information continues to be disseminated that does not correspond to reality and that only contributes to generating confusion among fans and unnecessarily harming the entities and people involved.”

The 15-time European champions issued a similar statement last month to deny reports linking them with Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, who has impressed at the World Cup with France.

Real Madrid’s statement represents a significant blow for Enzo Fernandez and his representatives.

Anyone following comments from his camp, or from the Argentina international himself, will be aware that he has been open to the possibility of leaving Stamford Bridge this summer, with a move to the Spanish capital understood to be his preferred option.

Madrid’s public distancing from Fernandez follows similar signals given privately by sources at Paris St-Germain and Manchester City, both of whom have previously been linked with the midfielder.

Since March, Fernandez has made a number of public comments in Spanish-language interviews following Chelsea’s dip in form and their Champions League exit to PSG.

Later that month, while on international duty, he spoke about a potential move to Spain in several interviews, which ultimately resulted in an internal two-match suspension.

His agent Javier Pastore has also publicly discussed his future, suggesting Fernandez is underpaid at Chelsea and indicating that failure to qualify for the Champions League could become an issue.

Those comments have created an uncomfortable situation for Chelsea, given Fernandez’s importance to the team. The midfielder contributed 15 goals and seven assists in all competitions last season and served as vice-captain.

Chelsea, however, have remained consistent in their position.

The club have been willing to listen to offers should their £120m valuation be met, but they have not actively sought to sell him.

While the situation has been challenging, Chelsea do not view it as irreparable.

There is a belief at Stamford Bridge that Alonso can successfully reintegrate Fernandez into the squad and help repair his relationship with supporters through strong performances and results on the pitch.

Stoke sign defender Graham from Dundee

Luke Graham is a former Scotland Under-21 international

Stoke City have signed defender Luke Graham from Scottish Premiership side Dundee for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old moves to the Championship club on a four-year deal after collecting both the players’ player and young player of the year awards at Dens Park last season.

Graham featured 41 times for Dundee in what was a breakthrough campaign in Scotland’s top flight, which earned him a place in Scotland’s training squad in the lead-up to this summer’s World Cup.

While he was a mainstay at Dundee last season, he had spent three previous seasons gaining experience playing in Scotland’s lower leagues while on loan at Albion Rovers, Montrose and Falkirk.

“We believe Luke has all the ingredients to have a very successful career and we’re excited to see him continue his journey with us,” Stoke’s sporting director Jonathan Walters told the club website.

Graham said the move to England’s second tier was a chance to “test” himself in a “different environment”, and added that it is “the right time for me to move on”.

Xhaka set to stay at Sunderland despite Chelsea interest

Granit Xhaka scored one goal in 34 Premier League appearances last season

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is set to stay at the club this summer, despite interest from Chelsea.

The Switzerland midfielder, whose contract ends in 2028, was attracted by the prospect of reuniting with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, after playing under him at Bayer Leverkusen.

Chelsea had an £8m bid for Xhaka rejected by Sunderland last week and the Blues were expected to return with an improved offer.

However, sources at Sunderland have told BBC Sport that the 33-year-old is not for sale and, following discussions, Xhaka has reaffirmed his commitment to the Black Cats.

Chelsea have not given up hope of landing Xhaka, with sources at the club maintaining that the former Arsenal midfielder is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.

It remains to be seen, though, whether the Blues will submit a further bid for the player.

Xhaka helped Sunderland qualify for Europe for the first time in 53 years last season following his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.

He made 34 Premier League appearances as the Black Cats finished seventh to qualify for the Conference League.

The Switzerland captain spent seven years at Arsenal, making 297 appearances, before joining Leverkusen in 2023 where he helped the German club win their first Bundesliga title under Alonso.

Xhaka is currently at the World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada with Switzerland, where he has played every game in his country’s run to the last 16.

Bournemouth agree £25.7m deal for Elche striker Rodriguez

Rodriguez scored seven goals and made five assists in 34 La Liga matches last season for Elche

Bournemouth have agreed an initial fee of £21.4m rising to £25.7m with add-ons for Elche striker Alvaro Rodriguez.

The 21-year-old is set to complete his medical and sign a five-year deal at the Vitality Stadium on Monday.

Real Madrid will receive 50% of any transfer fee for the Uruguay youth international, who is also eligible to represent Spain, after selling him to their La Liga rivals last summer.

Bournemouth are looking to strengthen their squad after qualifying for the Europa League with a record Premier League finish under Andoni Iraola, who left to become Liverpool manager.

Former RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rose has succeeded Iraola, with the Cherries targeting a striker and a left-sided centre-back this summer.

Any striker signing would provide competition and support for Evanilson, while the club are also open to selling Turkey forward Enes Unal for the right price.

Bournemouth are hoping for a more stable summer than last year, when three of the club’s first-choice back four and their starting goalkeeper departed.

Several clubs have expressed an interest in midfielder Alex Scott, who is reported to be valued at about £80m.

However, club sources insist he is not for sale despite enquiries from Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Bournemouth hope Scott will sign a new contract on improved terms, potentially including an agreement that would allow him to leave in the future for a predetermined fee, similar to the arrangement that preceded Antoine Semenyo’s move to Manchester City for a fee in the region of £65m in January.

They have also finalised their pre-season tour in the last 24 hours, announcing games against St Pauli and Augsburg in Austria, along with Real Betis and Mainz away in an effort to get used to European trips, with Genoa also facing the Cherries at their training ground this summer.

Spurs sign Fernandes for club record £85m

Mateus Fernandes has made 72 Premier League starts over the past two seasons

Tottenham have completed the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for a club-record fee of £85m.

Spurs have not confirmed the length of contract for the 21-year-old, who has played once for Portugal but is not part of their World Cup squad.

Fernandes has spent the past two seasons in the Premier League with Southampton and West Ham, although each club were relegated to the Championship.

“I’ve admired Mateus for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with the intensity and intelligence that are so important in the way we want to play,” said Spurs head coach Roberto de Zerbi.

“Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level.

“Mateus is comfortable under pressure, can progress the ball, works hard for the team and has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments.

“I believe this is the ideal environment for him to continue his development.”

Tottenham saw off competition from Manchester United, who were unwilling to match the fee agreed by Spurs - which is a guaranteed £85m without add-ons.

Fernandes was viewed as a primary target for the north London club after they had a bid for Sandro Tonali rejected by Newcastle.

However, Spurs have now agreed a £100m fee for the Italy midfielder.

They have made a fast start to the summer transfer window, with Fernandes their fifth signing already.

His arrival follows that of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka plus defenders Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke.

“I’m very excited for this next step,” Fernandes said. “Spurs is a massive club and the head coach was a key part of why I have decided to join.

“When we spoke, it was very special. We look at football in the same way - going onto the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try to win every game.”