Chelsea should already be doing their due diligence over a potential signing as they attempt to battle off suitors for Enzo Fernandez. Fernandez is being courted by Real Madrid this summer, and it seems he would prefer to make the move ahead of the new season.

Los Blancos are going to have to pay huge money to do a deal, and it will come down to whether they want to pay up, but there is every chance they will, leaving Chelsea without one of their most important starters.

Chelsea should be looking to hijack Tonali deal

Chelsea should already be looking at possible replacement options for Fernandez, who may well depart. The trouble is, the market for holding or hybrid midfielders is already beginning to dry up, given the competition for players in those positions this summer.

Tottenham and Manchester United are battling it out for Mateus Fernandes, while Spurs have already seen a £75million bid rejected for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked with United, and Liverpool are said to be hot on Eduardo Camavinga.

The bottom line is that plenty of clubs are on the lookout for defensive-minded midfielders this summer, and Chelsea need to be careful they are not left holding the bag.

Tonali is said to be willing to leave Newcastle this summer, and the Magpies would likely be forced to sell for between £80million and £85million. Chelsea could sell Fernandez and make a profit even after signing Tonali, who has proven his ability at Premier League and Champions League level.

Tonali may not quite be at the level of Fernandez, but he is still more than good enough for Chelsea to plug him into their midfield next season and not miss a beat, especially alongside Moises Caicedo.

Howe on Tonali ability

Speaking about Tonali’s ability last year, Newcastle boss Howe said after one game: “I think that he covered every blade [of grass against Wolves]. He was putting out a lot of fires on transitions for us. I think he has done that superbly well.

“Sometimes it’s not necessarily a quality that registers immediately. But the number of times that he reads the game, reads where the ball’s going to drop, and he’s there first, then you realise it’s a massive skill of his.

“His athleticism, his speed. So defensively, I think Sandro is one of the reasons why we have been so strong. But of course, the other side of his game, his use of the ball and his creativity, nearly scored a great goal for us [against Wolves]. I thought it was a great performance [by Sandro Tonali].”