Two European giants are preparing a bold move to sign Chelsea’s record-signing Enzo Fernandez, whose future at Stamford Bridge is increasingly uncertain.

In the big clash with Manchester United last weekend in the 10th round of the Premier League, coach Enzo Maresca did not use Enzo Fernandes in the starting lineup. The Italian strategist chose Moises Caicdeo and Romeo Lavia because he preferred their fitness. The decision left a big question mark over Fernandez’s future at the club.

Sources close to the club understand that the 2022 World Cup winner will be determined to fight to regain his starting place at Chelsea. But there have also been rumors that he has no intention of sitting on the bench for months if he is no longer needed at Stamford Bridge. Therefore, Inter Milan and Barca – two of the giants of European football are currently monitoring Fernandes’ situation.

The midfielder has come under fire since Chelsea signed him from Benfica for a British record fee of £107m in 2023.

TalkSPORT presenter Rory Jennings recently claimed Fernandez “should never play for Chelsea again” and that he was potentially the “worst” signing in Premier League history.

But manager Maresca has publicly expressed sympathy for the struggles Fernandez has faced to justify the price Chelsea paid, especially given the turmoil in his personal life. The 23-year-old recently split from childhood sweetheart Valentina Cervantes and is living a free life despite having a daughter and son together.

“They are human beings and if you pay £100m it’s not my problem,” Maresca said ahead of Chelsea’s game last weekend. “If you want to buy me, you have to pay that amount. That doesn’t mean you have to be the best player in every game.”

“They are just footballers and you can’t always be at the highest level. At the moment Enzo is not playing but there is no problem with him. The talk about Enzo comes from the fact that clubs pay a lot of money for them, people expect them to always be the best. But that’s not the case. The only reason he is not playing is because Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are physically more suitable,” the Italian tactician added.