Premier League giants Chelsea are reportedly showing interest in Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez.
According to Bernabeu Digital, Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez has emerged as a transfer target for Chelsea, who are desperately looking to add reinforcements to their backline this summer. The Blues see the 32-year-old as a solid defender and a solution to their defensive conundrum.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have lost two first-choice centre-backs on free transfers this summer. Antonio Rudiger has joined Real Madrid while Andreas Christensen has moved to Barcelona. The futures of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are still unclear, leaving Chelsea in a spot of bother.
The Blues have been actively hunting for central defenders, with the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Jules Kounde and Nathan Ake emerging as potential targets. While a deal for the latter is in the works and Chelsea are confident of seeing it through, they are facing trouble in their pursuit of the other two.
Sevilla’s asking price has put Chelsea’s pursuit of Kounde on hold, while Bayern Munich have entered the fray for de Ligt’s signature, making things complicated for the west London outfit. They are ready to shift focus to other targets, and Nacho has emerged as one.
The 32-year-old is a Real Madrid youth product and has been with the club since 2001. He rose through the youth ranks to make his first-team debut in the 2010/11 season. In 12 seasons since, Nacho has made 275 appearances for the club, playing all across the back-line to help the club’s cause.
Nacho played an integral role in their UEFA Champions League and La Liga double in the recently-concluded season but will fall down the pecking order with Rudiger’s arrival. Nacho has a year remaining on his contract with Madrid, and earlier reports claimed that he was set to sign an extension.
However, he might decide against renewing his deal with Los Blancos in favour of a move to Chelsea. The Spanish giants are ready to allow their long-serving player to make his choice, and will not stand in his way should he decide to leave. Inter Milan and AS Roma have also been linked with the defender, and Chelsea will need to make an official approach soon to ward off other suitors.
