Arsenal join the surprising Premier League transfer race as Real Madrid and Man City watch closely
Arsenal are reportedly joining the hunt for a top Premier League midfielder, but they’ll have tough competition from Manchester City and Real Madrid.
After winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004 just last week, Arsenal now have a chance to make more history by facing current European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday, May 30, in Budapest, Hungary.
While the final is obviously a big focus for Mikel Arteta and the team, the Arsenal board is already thinking about the summer transfer window opening on June 15.
Last summer, Arsenal signed several players like Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Piero Hincapie (on loan), Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga. These signings helped the team win the Premier League.
To stay on top of English football, Arsenal might need to bring in even more new talent this summer. One top midfielder from the Premier League is reportedly on their radar.
CaughtOffside reports that Arsenal have joined Manchester City and Real Madrid in chasing Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez. Despite Chelsea’s rough season finishing 10th, Fernandez managed 15 goals and 7 assists.
Fernandez came to Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for a record £107 million. He has been open about where he wants to live, saying he’d like to live in Madrid because it reminds him of Buenos Aires, his hometown.
BBC Sport says Chelsea value Fernandez at £120 million, and his agent sees Real Madrid as his ideal next club. However, Chelsea’s new coach Xabi Alonso wants to keep him, while Fernandez would also consider moving to Manchester City, where he could work with Enzo Maresca again.
Arteta likes Fernandez, though Sandro Tonali from Newcastle is said to be his first choice. Fernandez is signed with Chelsea until 2032 and earns about £225,000 a week.
After Chelsea was knocked out of the Champions League by PSG in March, Fernandez was asked if he would still be at Chelsea next season. He said, “I don’t know. Right now, I’m focused on Chelsea, then the World Cup, and we’ll see.”
Fernandez also mentioned in another interview that he really likes Madrid, which reportedly upset then-Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior enough to bench Fernandez for a Premier League game against Manchester City in April and an FA Cup match against Port Vale.