Real Madrid are reportedly ready to swoop for a Chelsea star who has long been on their radar. Florentino Perez's Los Blancos have been admirers of Enzo Fernandez stemming back to his impressive 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign.
A report from The Touchline claims that Madrid are willing to go "all in" for Fernandez. The only condition appears to be that he excels at this summer's World Cup.
Fernandez has been one of Chelsea's standout performers this season, posting 11 goals and four assists in 40 games across competitions. He has been with the Blues since January 2023 when he arrived from Benfica for €121m.
Real Madrid ready Fernandez move
Madrid will likely be expected to pay more than that fee given his importance to Liam Rosenior. He has over six years on his contract which gives the La Liga giants no chance at a cut-price deal.
This isn't the first time Fernandez's name has come up regarding the club's desire to sign a new creative midfielder. A previous report suggested the Argentine "dreams" of playing for Los Merengues and that could be key in a potential deal.
Madrid have other targets on their shortlist including Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha. The Portuguese midfielder is another of Europe's most highly-rated midfield talents.
The report claims that a deal for Vitinha is "highly unlikely" due to the relationship between Madrid and PSG. This is an interesting line given other reports claim that the relations have improved in recent times especially after Los Blancos withdrew from the Super League.
Fernandez certainly has the ability to be a major player in the middle of the park under whoever is in charge next season. Micah Richards called him a "top midfielder" earlier this season and he is viewed as one of the best in the Premier League.
The Blues man has worn the captain's armband in Reece James' absence and his leadership qualities might be factored in. He is a passionate character who puts the team first.
What's the catch?
The Argentine will cost a pretty penny and that's where the likelihood of him arriving at the Bernabeu seems slim. Madrid haven't been overly keen on spending huge sums of money on one player in recent years.
That said, Los Blancos were tracking Fernandez during his brief spell at Benfica and were looking to make a move until Chelsea paid an astronomical fee to seal his signature. The long-term interest is there but it's just whether the finances are agreeable for Perez and the board.