'Real prefer to sign Fernandez over Rodri'
Real Madrid prefer to sign Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez over Manchester City midfielder Rodri, according to Spanish outlet Marca.
Fernandez, who has a current deal at Stamford Bridge that runs until 2032, added fuel to speculation surrounding his future, telling an Argentinian outlet that he'd "like to live in Madrid".
The 25-year-old had previously used Chelsea's Champions League defeat to PSG to open the door on a departure, saying he doesn't know where his future lies and suggesting he'll wait until after the World Cup to decide his future.
Rodri himself told Spanish press last week that "you cannot turn down the best clubs in the world" when questioned about a potential move to Real in the future.
The report suggests that Florentino Perez doesn't want to sign Rodri and instead the Spanish giants are readying an approach for Fernandez.
Your Site News understands Chelsea are planning to sign another midfielder this summer and Fernandez is not regarded as untouchable at Stamford Bridge.
However, Chelsea would only consider an offer of more than 100m for one of their key players.
Merson: Chelsea need CL to keep hold of Palmer and Fernandez
Paul Merson says that Chelsea need to Champions League to stand a chance of keeping both Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea sit six points off fourth-place Aston Villa after a run of form has seen Liam Rosenior's side lose four in a row, including harrowing defeats to PSG to crash out of the Champions League.
Both Palmer and Fernandez have been subject to speculation around their respective futures with the latter adding fuel to rumours, telling an Argentinian outlet, while away with his country, that he'd "like" to live in Madrid.
Asked about the case of Fernandez and Palmer, Merson said:
"Players go away with their country and talk to one of the local papers or the magazine in their country, and then it gets it gets back to England.
"They go, I didn't mean to say that, you know, it's been happening for years and years.
"If Chelsea don't get in the Champions League, there's going to be a problem.
"Players will want to, want to leave. They want to play in the Champions League.
" They want to play at the big table. So for me, it's so important these last seven games or so, and starting with Man City at home, which is a difficult game."
Merson adds that a sale for both Palmer and Fernandez wouldn't be out of the question for the right price, given Chelsea's model.
"They buy young players in to sell them for more money.
"I mean, that'll be the model, because this team's not winning the Premier League. I'm a Chelsea fan, they're not going to win the Premier League.
"It's not set out to win the Premier League over 38 games, but on any given Saturday, they will beat someone, but they won't do over 38 games.
"So for me, they need to change it. If they get the right money, if they got 120m, for Palmer and they bought him for 40 I'd be shocked if they didn't sell him, in my opinion.
"But they need to get to the Champions League, and they start planning where he's comfortable playing, and on the right is a waste of time.
"He needs to play in the 10. He's as good as anybody around playing in the 10, and it gives him a chance to plan for England as well."
Anderson on World Cup focus amid transfer speculation
England midfielder Elliot Anderson:
"We've got the World Cup this summer, so my eyes are on that. Playing for England, I've got the badge on, that is all I'm thinking about at the moment."
On being in a relegation battle while representing England, he added: "All the games are the same, I'm just going on the pitch and doing my best. Fight for whatever strip I have on, that's all I'm doing."
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Enzo fuels Real Madrid transfer speculation
Enzo Fernandez has fuelled speculation that he could leave Chelsea for Real Madrid after admitting he would like to live in the Spanish capital in the future.
Following Chelsea's emphatic 8-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on aggregate in the Champions League, Fernandez commented on his future, admitting he did not know if he would be at Stamford Bridge next season.
"I don't know," he said to ESPN Argentina when asked if he would be at the club next season.
"My focus is here now. Then the World Cup coming up, so we'll see after that."
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior insisted Fernandez is committed to the club after talking to the midfielder, but rumours are now resurfacing following his latest comments.
When asked if he would like to live in a different country, Fernandez said: "I really like Madrid - it's similar to Buenos Aires."
Fernandez was then questioned on whether he would consider living in Madrid, where he added: "Yes, of course."
Spurs offer De Zerbi five-year contact to become new boss
Latest from Your Site News' Lyall Thomas and Michael Bridge:
Tottenham are in talks with Roberto De Zerbi about becoming their next head coach.
Spurs want him to be their next permanent boss and have offered him a five-year contract.
The ex-Brighton boss is now open to taking the job after previously indicating he wanted to wait until the summer to consider his options after his Marseille exit last month.
Spurs are pushing hard to persuade him, with discussions taking place today over that five-year proposal.
Spurs are hopeful of confirming an appointment this week before the players return from the international break.
The relegation-threatened side's preference is to make a permanent appointment after the departure of boss Igor Tudor on Sunday.
'De Zerbi far from a safe pair of hands - but why didn't Spurs appoint him earlier?'
Ex-Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood speaking on Your Site News on the potential appointment of Roberto De Zerbi:
"For anyone going in now, you have to put a question mark on it because you've only got seven games left.
"I like him, I really do. I like his personality. I said many months ago that he would be the man to come into Tottenham.
"I would've picked him over Mauricio Pochettino for the long term because he plays that style that Tottenham fans want to play. He opens up the pitch, but not now. That style is not needed now, what they need now is a safe pair of hands. This is far from a safe pair of hands.
"I still like him. I love his personality and the way his teams play. But they can be open and can get hammered in some games - you can't get hammered between now and the end of the season.
"We saw his Marseille team play against Liverpool with an open style. He opens up the pitch, it's expansive the way he plays.
"We know how stubborn this man is. This man is hard to deal with, but I like him for that because he's got his own mind and does it his way, so that's my only reservation.
"I think if he can get them over the line, I think he's a perfect manager for Tottenham to have taking them forward.
"The main priority is just to keep them in the league. He would not be that firefighter-type manager who comes in for this seven-game period.
"He wanted to have a break after Marseille in February, but why didn't they bring him in then? Why didn't they bring him in before Igor Tudor? You'd have given him another seven games to go at, then I would've had total confidence that he would keep them in the league.
"They obviously didn't want him then. He was available, but they didn't want him."
Can De Zerbi have an instant impact mid-season?
Tottenham, who currently sit one point above the relegation zone, are in need of a head coach than can deliver instant results with just seven games left to secure their survival.
De Zerbi has established himself as a coach that instils a possession-based philosophy, creating teams that are praised for their attractive style of football.
However, the Italian's start at Brighton when he took over mid-season in 2022 following Graham Potter's departure would suggest he might struggle to have the required impact.
De Zerbi failed to win any of his first five Premier League games in charge of Brighton, drawing twice and losing three games, albeit facing a tough schedule.
When taking over at Serie A newcomers Benevento mid-season in 2017, De Zerbi's side were praised for the football they played, but were relegated from Italy's top-flight.
De Zerbi failed to win any of his first nine games in charge of Benevento.
The Italian also struggled when taking over Palermo mid-season in 2016, winning just one of his 13 games before being sacked less than three months into the job.
Spurs and De Zerbi in talks over five-year deal
Ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is open to joining Tottenham as their new head coach immediately, according to Sky in Italy.
Sky in Italy are reporting that talks are expected to take place with De Zerbi over a five-year contract proposal from Spurs, who are searching for a third managerial appointment of the season .
Your Site News understands Tottenham's preference is for a permanent appointment after Tudor's disastrous seven games in charge across 44 days.
Your Site News has reported for several weeks that all options have been under consideration, including accelerating the appointment of a summer target.
De Zerbi is high among those, along with Mauricio Pochettino and others.
De Zerbi open to taking over at Spurs for run-in
Latest from Sky Italy's Gianluca Di Marzio:
Roberto De Zerbi is open to joining Tottenham as head coach immediately, according to Sky in Italy.
Tottenham need a new boss for the final seven games of the season after Igor Tudor's departure as they fight relegation.
Spurs sit just one point above the bottom three and are searching for their third head coach of the season.
The former Brighton boss has been out of a job since he left Marseille in February.
