Real Madrid star responds to Chelsea transfer rumours

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 17 Jun 2023 20:06 BST
• 4 min read

Federico Valverde has been linked with a big-money move to Chelsea, but the Real Madrid midfielder is having none of it.

Valverde has been attracting interest from multiple Premier League clubs for a number of seasons after his impressive performances in Madrid, where he has become a mainstay of Carlo Ancelotti's team.

The recent acquisition of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund - for an initial €103 million - has cast doubt on the Uruguayan's future at the Santiago Bernabeu.

READ: How Real Madrid will line up with Jude Bellingham

The Blues have been linked with move for Valverde, but the versatile former Penarol man says he is happy right where he is.

"No, no… I'm at Madrid," he said when asked by ESPN Argentina about a potential move away. I'm trying to enjoy every moment and leave my mark on the best club in the world. I want to keep winning titles for Real Madrid fans."

Valverde's position secure

Valverde was initially signed as a midfielder but he has increasingly lined up on the right-hand side of the attack in Carlo Ancelotti's preferred 4-3-3 in the Spanish capital.

READ: Chelsea 'to complete' €36m transfer in Pochettino's first major signing

The positional change should serve Valverde well with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Dabi Ceballos all reportedly close to extending their contracts, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga also on the books.

Valverde, who is capped 49 times by his native Uruguay, recently had a training ground named after him at first club Penarol.

"When Nacho [Ruglio, Penarol's president] told me about the name of the stadium I thought he was joking!" Valverde said.

"Hopefully in the future my son will see me play in Penarol's colours again. My heart is here, but my head is in Madrid and I want to continue to leave a mark on this club."

Chelsea are closing on their first signing of the Mauricio Pochettino era, meanwhile, with Villarreal's Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson set to complete a €36m transfer.