Real Madrid have released a statement confirming they have no intention of pursuing a transfer for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer.
Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent months after a difficult season in which the Blues finished 10th in the Premier League and lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City.
Chelsea are adamant that they have no intention of selling Fernandez and slapped a £120million price tag on the Argentine international to ward off potential interest.
Fernandez, though, is keen to leave the club and his agent, Javier Pastore, has consistently said that his client is exploring his options away from Stamford Bridge.
In an interview with Spanish outlet Marca earlier this week, Pastore revealed that while there was no firm contact with any clubs, they were looking at opportunities for Fernandez to leave Chelsea.
"Today the player is calmly thinking about the national team, he is playing in a World Cup, he is very close to reaching the round of 16," Pastore said.
"He is only thinking about that and we are looking at possibilities to leave Chelsea, but there is nothing firm or confirmed at any club."
Madrid have been strongly linked with a move for Fernandez, who in March admitted he likes the Spanish capital, but the LaLiga giants have now come out publicly to emphatically deny suggestions they have already tried to sign the player - and insisted they do not intend to do so.
"In response to the reports and comments that have appeared in recent days regarding Real Madrid C.F.'s alleged interest in signing Enzo Fernandez, the club wishes to state that it has not undertaken any action whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, aimed at signing the player,” read a statement released via their official website and social media channels.
“Furthermore, it has no intention of pursuing such a transfer.
"Real Madrid wishes to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez, an outstanding footballer whose career and quality are well known, as well as for Chelsea FC, a club with which it enjoys an excellent institutional relationship.
"Precisely because of the respect it has for an institution such as Chelsea FC, and in keeping with the principles of institutional loyalty that have always guided Real Madrid's conduct, the club considers it necessary to categorically deny these unfounded speculations, which bear no relation to reality.
"Real Madrid regrets that, despite the facts being clear and the club having taken no action whatsoever, reports that do not reflect reality continue to be circulated.
“These reports serve only to create confusion among supporters and unnecessarily harm the clubs and individuals involved."
