Reports claim that Real Madrid have identified Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez as their priority summer target. The Spanish giants are keen to get a quick deal done to sign the 25-year-old Argentine. Jose Mourinho is looking to bring in the midfielder as his first signing at the Bernabeu, with club president Florentino Perez having given the green light to the move.
With Mourinho’s appointment now confirmed, Fernandez has reappeared at the very top of Real Madrid’s midfield wishlist. Mourinho will return to Real Madrid on an initial two-year deal with a third-year option, replacing Alvaro Arbeloa, who was dismissed after another season without winning a trophy.
Enzo has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, with 10 goals and 4 assists from 36 league appearances. He has also chipped in with three goals and two assists from 10 Champions League outings.
Multiple reports in England have claimed that the Argentine has already told the club of his desire to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. This will add plenty of pressure on new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso before he has even started the job. Mourinho is a big admirer of Fernandez and has hinted he would relish the chance to make the Chelsea captain a central part of his midfield rebuilding job at the Bernabeu.
Chelsea demand huge fee as Real Madrid plot clever way to sign Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea have been crystal clear on their demands and will need to get a transfer fee in the region of €140 million for Real Madrid to have any chance of sealing Fernandez’s signature. That figure is a huge increase on the £106.8m Chelsea paid Benfica to sign him in January 2023, a fee that was a British transfer record at the time.
Fernandez’s personal terms should not be a stumbling block in Madrid and Fernandez agreeing, but Chelsea’s valuation of the player is the problem. Earlier in June, Spanish journalist Miguel Serrano claimed a personal agreement is already in place between Fernandez, his agent Javier Pastore and Real Madrid, although a deal with Chelsea has not yet been struck.
Real Madrid have attempted to bridge the financial gap by exploring the option of a player-plus-cash offer. Arda Guler is seen as an ideal candidate for inclusion in the deal, given his existing relationship with new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso. Rodri was Madrid’s dream midfield addition, but with Manchester City unwilling to sell the Spaniard, Mourinho and Perez have now switched their full focus to Fernandez.