Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Man City were interested in World Cup winner before Chelsea move
Apart from offering an update on Real Madrid’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham, a recent report from The Athletic has revealed that the Spanish giants were also interested in a move for Enzo Fernandez during the January transfer window.
Considered one of the most talented young midfield prospects in world football right now, Fernandez made a blistering breakthrough at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Argentina secure the coveted trophy while winning the Best Young Player of the tournament award.
Fernandez’s performances for Argentina at the World Cup, coupled with his success at SL Benfica, convinced Chelsea to fork out a whopping €121 million on the midfielder during the January transfer window.
But as per The Athletic, Manchester City, along with Real Madrid were among the clubs interested in the services of Fernandez, shortly before his move to Chelsea.
Real Madrid’s interest in the young Argentine is hardly surprising, as the Spanish giants were looking for midfield reinforcements at the time, especially with uncertainty over the continuity of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
While both these veterans are now likely to extend, it was not the case at the time. Moreover, Dani Ceballos had not enjoyed the same level of turnaround he is enjoying right now, all of which accentuated the need for a fresh new midfielder.
That is where Enzo was an appealing option for Los Blancos. In addition to his youthful exuberance, the Argentine’s work-ethic, aggression and commitment might have made him an ideal long-term replacement for someone like Casemiro.
But Real Madrid did not end up making a move for Fernandez, perhaps due to his mammoth €121 million. The club, instead, are focusing on making a move for Jude Bellingham in the coming summer.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
