Chelsea could bank in excess of £100 million this summer if they decide to part ways with Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella, as both players have recently cast doubt over their long-term futures at Stamford Bridge.
The duo’s comments have sent shockwaves through west London, coming at a delicate moment for the club following their heavy Champions League exit and ongoing questions about the direction of the BlueCo project.
Fernandez first raised eyebrows shortly after Chelsea’s humiliating 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. In an interview with ESPN Argentina, the World Cup-winning midfielder was unable to confirm he would still be at the club next season.
“I don’t know,” Fernandez said. “My focus is here for now. We have eight Premier League matches to play and the FA Cup. Then, the World Cup coming up so we’ll see after that.”
He added that the team had overcome similar difficult periods in the past and must now concentrate on winning the FA Cup while securing Champions League qualification for next season.
Although Liam Rosenior later suggested the remarks had been misconstrued, Fernandez doubled down during an international break interview on the Avirales YouTube channel. The Argentine revealed a strong personal desire to one day live in Spain, specifically naming Madrid as a city that reminds him of Buenos Aires.
“I’d like to live in Spain,” he said. “I really like Madrid; it reminds me of Buenos Aires. Players live where they want. I’d live in Madrid. I get by in English, but I’d be more comfortable in Spanish.”
Meanwhile, left-back Marc Cucurella also opened the door to a potential exit when speaking to reporters ahead of Spain’s friendly against Egypt. Asked about a possible return to Barcelona — the club where he began his professional career — the Spaniard admitted it would be hard to turn down.
“You always think about going back,” Cucurella said. “I’m very happy there [in London] and so is my family. I’ll leave it for a few years from now.
“It [an offer from Barcelona] would be difficult to refuse. It’s not just about me. I’d have to think about my family. If it happens, it happens, and we’ll see what decision is made.”
In a separate interview with The Athletic, Cucurella questioned the decision to sack former manager Enzo Maresca in favour of Liam Rosenior. He also suggested that the current Chelsea project may not suit players whose primary ambition is to “win big things.”
With both stars appearing unsettled, football.london has examined the potential financial upside for Chelsea if they opt to cash in on the pair this summer.
How much could Chelsea get for Fernandez?
Chelsea broke the British transfer record when they signed Fernandez from Benfica for £106m (approximately €120m at the time) in February 2023. The club secured him on a lengthy eight-and-a-half-year deal (later extended), allowing them to amortise the fee over many years and maintain compliance with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) at the time.
Although UEFA and the Premier League later capped amortisation at five years, the changes were not applied retrospectively, giving Chelsea an initial financial advantage. However, this also means the player’s net book value remains relatively high.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea would need to sell Fernandez for around £77.6m at the start of the upcoming transfer window simply to avoid recording a loss. Any accepted bid below £75m before the window closes could result in a book loss.
Fortunately for the Blues, Fernandez has developed into one of the Premier League’s top midfielders and remains the only player in the squad with a senior World Cup winners’ medal.
Transfermarkt currently values him at €90m (£78.4m approx.). Reports from Sky Sports indicate that Chelsea would only entertain serious offers exceeding £100m for the Argentine international.
What about Marc Cucurella?
Cucurella has enjoyed success at Chelsea, contributing to victories in the Conference League and Club World Cup, as well as winning the European Championship with Spain. However, he has just two years remaining on his current contract, and it is unclear whether he will sign an extension.
The longer Chelsea delay a decision on his future, the lower his net book value becomes. A standout performance for Spain at the upcoming World Cup could significantly boost his price tag.
As things stand, Transfermarkt values the left-back at €50m (around £53.6m). While not in the same financial bracket as Fernandez, a sale — especially if triggered by interest from Barcelona — could still generate a healthy profit given his original transfer fee from Brighton and remaining contract length.
A potential £100m+ boost for BlueCo
If Chelsea were to sell both players this summer, the combined income could comfortably surpass £100 million (and potentially far more if Fernandez commands a nine-figure fee). This windfall would provide significant funds for recruitment or help ease any PSR pressures, though it would also represent a major statement about the current squad’s direction.
With both Fernandez and Cucurella publicly expressing alternative preferences and frustrations, the coming months could prove decisive for Chelsea’s summer strategy.
The situation remains fluid, but one thing is clear: London has received a transfer bombshell that could reshape the Blues’ squad and finances heading into the next campaign.