Barcelona are reportedly considering an audacious move to acquire Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez by offering two of their prominent players as part of a proposed transfer deal.
The Spanish club, enjoying a strong season, currently leads the La Liga standings ahead of Real Madrid and has also secured a place among the top eight teams in the Champions League.
According to a report from TeamTalk, Barcelona is keen to strengthen their squad further and is willing to include Frenkie de Jong and Ferran Torres in negotiations for Fernandez.
The Argentine midfielder, who joined Chelsea for a record-breaking £107 million fee nearly two years ago, has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most high-profile signings.
Barcelona reportedly aims to bypass a direct financial transaction by offering the two players in exchange instead of paying a cash fee.
De Jong and Torres, signed by Barcelona for a combined cost of £115 million, have struggled to consistently deliver top performances during their time at the club.
Consequently, their market value has diminished, with Transfermarkt currently valuing De Jong at £49.3 million and Torres at £24.6 million.
Despite their reduced form, Barcelona views this player-swap strategy as a potential solution to secure Fernandez without breaching financial constraints.
At Chelsea, Fernandez’s journey this season has seen significant developments.
At the start of the campaign, manager Enzo Maresca favored a midfield combination of Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, leaving Fernandez initially sidelined.
However, the 23-year-old has since risen to prominence with an impressive run of form.
Over his last six games across all competitions,
Fernandez has contributed three goals and six assists, including involvement in goals in his last five Premier League appearances.
Fernandez’s remarkable performances have cemented his place in Chelsea’s starting lineup, with the Argentine international making 19 appearances so far this season.
Given his current form and importance to the team, Chelsea reportedly considers him “untouchable” and has no intention of entertaining offers for the midfielder during the January or summer transfer windows.
This stance could pose a significant obstacle to Barcelona’s ambitious pursuit.
Nevertheless, the Catalan club’s willingness to offer two key players highlights their determination to add Fernandez to their ranks as they aim to remain competitive both domestically and in Europe.
In conclusion, while Barcelona’s proposal underscores their interest in Fernandez, Chelsea’s reluctance to part with their star midfielder might render the deal highly challenging to finalize, especially considering Fernandez’s growing influence in West London.
