Real Madrid News
Real Madrid near breakthrough in talks for highly-regarded midfield star – report
Real Madrid’s summer transfer business may not be over just yet.
After already strengthening multiple areas of the squad, the Spanish giants are now turning their attention towards the midfield, with Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez emerging as a serious target.
According to Defensa Central, negotiations between Real Madrid and Chelsea are progressing, with discussions focused on a deal for the Argentine international.
While no agreement has been finalised, there is growing optimism that movement could arrive in the coming weeks as the player’s desire becomes increasingly clear.
What’s the story?
Real Madrid’s interest in Fernandez is not new, but the situation appears to be developing faster than before.
The Argentine midfielder is under contract with the FIFA Club World Cup champions until 2032, placing Chelsea in a strong negotiating position.
Nevertheless, reports indicate that discussions between the two clubs are ongoing and an agreement could be reached soon, paving the way for the Argentine’s to move to Santiago Bernabeu.
Right now, despite evaluating several midfield options, such as Mateus Fernandes, Real Madrid continue to view Fernandez as one of the strongest candidates to strengthen the midfield.
Fernandez’s desire gives Real Madrid encouragement
One of the most significant developments in the story is the player’s position.
As reported before, Fernandez has made it clear to those around him that a move to Real Madrid would be his preferred next step.
His entourage continues to communicate that the midfielder sees Spain as his desired destination and views the Bernabeu as an ideal stage for the next chapter of his career.
That desire could become an important factor if negotiations become more complicated, even though Chelsea remain under no pressure to sell.
The London club invested heavily to secure Fernandez’s signature in January 2023 and still consider him a cornerstone of their project.
In fact, there is little appetite within the Premier League club to sanction a departure unless an exceptional offer arrives.
Apart from that, another obstacle that Real Madrid face is Chelsea’s valuation.
As stated earlier, they want around €138 million (£120 million) for the midfielder, a figure that is quite problematic for Los Blancos.
Nevertheless, the possibility remains open.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
