Real Madrid are increasingly confident of signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, with sources suggesting the Argentine midfielder is keen on a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. The Spanish club are reportedly preparing an offer exceeding £100 million, though Chelsea are believed to value Fernandez closer to £120 million.
This pursuit comes as Jose Mourinho aims to complete a significant rebuild of the Real Madrid squad. Deals for Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella and Bernardo Silva have already been finalized, and Mourinho has identified Fernandez as the final piece of his midfield puzzle. Club president Florentino Perez reportedly highlighted Fernandez as a priority target during his recent election campaign.
Fernandez joined Chelsea last January for a British record fee of £106.8 million from Benfica, becoming a key figure in their midfield. The 23-year-old played a vital role in Argentina’s successful 2022 World Cup campaign, winning the Young Player Award. Despite his importance to Chelsea, Fernandez’s desire to play under Mourinho appears to be a driving force behind the potential transfer.
Should Fernandez move to Madrid, it is expected to trigger a domino effect within the Real Madrid squad. Nico Paz is unlikely to be integrated into the first team, while Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, and Thiago Pitarch could all become available for transfer. Most significantly, Aurelien Tchouameni’s future is uncertain, as Mourinho reportedly views Fernandez as the cornerstone of his midfield. This situation has alerted both Liverpool and Manchester United, who are prepared to make a move for the French international should he become available.
Chelsea are already preparing for a potential departure, with a list of seven possible replacements being assessed. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is a key target, while Juventus midfielder Manu Kone, Monaco’s Lamine Camara, Porto’s Victor Froholdt, and FC Nordsjaelland’s Caleb Yirenkyi are also under consideration. More experienced options, such as Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz, are also being evaluated. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott was previously admired, but the club are unwilling to sell.
