Petit and Leboeuf urge Chelsea to swap Fernandez for Camavinga in £163m Real Madrid deal

Emmanuel Petit and Frank Leboeuf have urged Chelsea to propose a player-swap arrangement with Real Madrid, sending Enzo Fernandez to the Spanish capital in exchange for Eduardo Camavinga, as speculation over the Argentine’s future intensifies ahead of the summer window.

Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for £106.7 million in January 2023, is understood to be keen on leaving Stamford Bridge this summer. While Chelsea would prefer to retain the 25-year-old, the club are reportedly willing to sanction a sale if a bid of £120 million is received. Real Madrid, now managed by José Mourinho, are said to be monitoring Fernandez closely as the new head coach looks to bolster his midfield options, though it remains unclear whether Los Blancos would meet Chelsea’s valuation.

Petit, speaking to BetVictor, argued that if Real Madrid baulk at the asking price, Chelsea should push for Camavinga — reportedly valued at around €50 million (£43 million) — as part of the deal. “Eduardo Camavinga in a swap deal with Enzo Fernandez? Why not?” said the former France international. “Camavinga is still a very young player. He left Rennes for Madrid when he was 18 years old and he has played for six or seven years for Real Madrid. He has won some big trophies too.”

Petit added that Camavinga’s experience would address a gap in Chelsea’s current squad. “When you come from Real Madrid to Chelsea, having won many trophies and played there for so many years, and you play for the national team, you arrive at the club with experience that’s probably missing at Chelsea. Camavinga is a talented player; he would be a great fit.”

Leboeuf, speaking separately, echoed that assessment and pointed to the potential midfield partnership Camavinga could form at Stamford Bridge under head coach Xabi Alonso. “I think Eduardo Camavinga would be fantastic at Chelsea,” said the former Blues defender. “What he did for Real Madrid was absolutely exceptional. Camavinga and Moises Caicedo would be a fantastic pairing.”

Leboeuf also named Aurelien Tchouameni as an alternative option, suggesting either the Camavinga or Tchouameni route would represent a strong addition under Alonso’s management.

The combined valuations of Fernandez and Camavinga place the proposed exchange at approximately £163 million, making it one of the more significant midfield transactions discussed this window. Whether Chelsea and Real Madrid would agree on the financial structure of such a deal remains to be seen.