Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is reportedly open to securing a transfer elsewhere during the summer.
During the 2023 January window, Chelsea launched a sustained approach to secure a deal for the player, who had only spent half a season with Benfica.
Co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital eventually settled on agreeing a £106.8m proposal for the Argentina international, who had won the World Cup with his country during the previous month.
While Fernandez's first year at Stamford Bridge cannot be described as a total failure, he has not come close to justifying his price tag.
Just two goals - both in the same match against Brighton & Hove Albion - and three assists have been contributed in 38 appearances in the Premier League, a competition that Chelsea have contributed to struggle in since the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino.
In usual circumstances, there may have been an openness to an exit from all parties with the 23-year-old certainly having not enhanced his reputation since moving to West London.
However, the cost of the transfer and Fernandez being on a contract until at least 2031 complicates matters if any admirers express an interest.
According to FootballTransfers, that has not stopped Fernandez and his representatives being open to a departure at the end of 2023-24.
The report suggests that it is unclear whether it is the player or agents that are most keen on a transfer, yet indicates that it is one or the other.
How Chelsea perform during the second half of the campaign could prove key, with it already alleged that the club have substantial work to do to remain on the right side of FFP in the long term.
Securing a return to Europe would improve Chelsea's efforts, yet it currently appears that winning the EFL Cup or FA Cup will be their best chance of achieving that goal.
Although Chelsea have reached the EFL Cup final, they face Liverpool in the showpiece match, while a visit to Aston Villa in an FA Cup fourth-round replay is scheduled for Wednesday night.
Fernandez has featured in 20 of Chelsea's 23 Premier League fixtures this campaign, with the Blues currently 11th and seven points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United in the standings. body check tags ::
