Chelsea open talks to sign Enzo Fernandez replacement

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 28 Jul 2024 10:34 BST
• 4 min read

Chelsea have opened talks to sign Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez, amidst the racism storm.

According to Fichajes, the Blues are well aware that Enzo’s future at the club is very much in doubt.

As a result, they have opened talks with Rabiot to potentially replace the Argentine.

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Chelsea have been rocked by the racism scandal in which Enzo and a group of Argentina teammates were filmed celebrating their Copa America victory in which they chanted a derogatory song about the France national team.

The song in question has been called racist and transphobic as it contains a number of references to the African heritage of France players, as well a transgender insult.

Enzo has since apologised for his behaviour but Chelsea have a great deal of work to do in order to repair the damage done within the club’s dressing room.

Many of Enzo’s Chelsea teammates are furious with the Argentine for his behaviour, with Wesley Fofana publicly slamming the Argentine and a number of the Blues’ French and African players unfollowing Enzo on social media.

As a result, it is possible that Enzo will not be welcomed back at Chelsea and the club may be forced to even consider selling or loaning out the midfielder.

Rabiot is considered by Chelsea as an ideal replacement for Enzo.

The 29-year-old is a free agent after his contract expired at Juventus on July 1.

Juventus have ended talks over renewing his contract and he will now join a new club.

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Man Utd, Real Madrid and Milan have all been linked with the midfielder.

Rabiot to reject Man Utd again?

Man Utd have been considered the favourites to sign Rabiot, having been long-term admirers.

It is the second time in a year United have tried to sign him on a free transfer.

United had been in discussions with his mother and agent Veronique Rabiot last summer about signing Rabiot.

The chances of Rabiot staying at Juventus appeared to be slim as the days ticked down to his June 30 contract expiry.

But the midfielder chose to stay in the end.

It is also widely understood that Juventus and Man Utd agreed on a transfer fee worth €18m plus €6m in add-ons in the summer of 2022.

But United were unable to agree personal terms with Rabiot, with Veronique blamed for excessive demands. United then signed Casemiro instead.

United have now been working on a third attempt to sign Rabiot this summer.

But could they now risk missing out on Rabiot for a third year in a row to Chelsea?

Rabiot, 29, joined Juventus on a free transfer from PSG in 2019. He made over 200 appearances for the club, winning one Scudetto.

He had the best season of his career in 2022-23 with 11 goals in all competitions. He was not been as impressive this past season with five goals.