Real Madrid have stated they have not registered any interest in signing Enzo Fernández from Chelsea and have no intention to do so in the future.
The midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Madrid and his agent, Javier Pastore, confirmed in an interview to Spanish outlet MARCA that he is "looking at possibilities to leave Chelsea."
ESPN reported on May 29 that the Blues would demand a fee in the region of £120 million ($160m) if Fernández tried to force his way out of the club.
Sources have told ESPN that Chelsea currently expect him to report for pre-season training as normal after a holiday following Argentina's participation at the World Cup.
As speculation over his future grows, Madrid have sought to distance themselves from any transfer links.
"In light of the reports and statements that have appeared in recent days regarding an alleged interest from Real Madrid CF in the player Enzo Fernández, the club wishes to state that it has not made any effort, either direct or indirect, to sign the aforementioned player and, likewise, has no intention of undertaking such an operation," they said in a statement.
"Real Madrid wishes to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernández, a great footballer whose career and quality are widely known, as well as for Chelsea FC, a club with which it maintains an excellent institutional relationship."
"Precisely because of the respect that an entity like Chelsea FC deserves and because of the principles of institutional loyalty that have always governed the actions of Real Madrid, the club considers it necessary to categorically deny speculations that are unfounded and do not correspond to reality."
Information from ESPN's James Olley contributed to this report.
Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49256447/real-madrid-deny-interest-signing-chelsea-enzo-fernandez