CHELSEA midfielder Enzo Fernandez is keen on joining Barcelona, according to reports.
Fernandez, 23, signed for the Blues in a £107million transfer from Benfica last winter.
He completed the switch just one month after winning the World Cup with Argentina and signed an eight-and-a-half year contract upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
However, the midfielder is now understood to be open to a move away.
And according to Spanish outlet Sport, he wants to join Barcelona.
The La Liga giants consider Fernandez a top target, but their financial issues will likely prevent a deal from happening.
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His current contract runs until 2032 so Barcelona would have to table a significant offer for Chelsea to even consider selling.
Recent reports have claimed that Fernandez is unhappy at Stamford Bridge, largely due to Chelsea’s poor run of form.
After finishing 12th in the Premier League table last season, the Blues have failed to make much progression.
They currently sit 11th, behind the likes of Wolves, Newcastle and Brighton.
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But Fernandez appeared to squash the exit rumours on Wednesday during Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round replay against Aston Villa.
After scoring a stunning free kick to put the Blues 3-0 up in the 54th minute, the midfielder held his shirt up to the cameras and pointed to his name.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino later said: “Today, Enzo showed why he’s here and he showed his quality.
“But we didn’t have any doubts about him, or about Caicedo or about different players, young players that arrived here with expectation to win titles and to score with every single touch!
“He is a world champion player. Look, when he signed one year ago, he arrived after nearly two years with no holidays, no rest, with the pressure, still young, different environment, different language, different culture, a team that needs time to build.
“All of these types of circumstance, you need time. I don’t want to annoy the people. For me, it’s not an excuse. I want to be here because I really believe in the project, I really believe in the player.
“But please, stop to create expectation that does match to the reality and help the players that are here to try and build something.
“Of course, if that happens again, we will be there to help. It does not surprise me because Enzo has the quality, not only to score this type of goal, but to perform in the way today he performed.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
