Chelsea’s valuation is delaying a move, with £120m tag forcing Madrid to assess less expensive options
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez ranks high on Real Madrid’s summer transfer list and the Spanish giants are exploring a move for him.
This comes after Madrid concluded a deal with Chelsea for left-back Marc Cucurella. Both Cucurella and Fernandez have been admired by the club for quite some time, Fernandez since his time in Benfica.
However, Madrid have yet to make a formal approach for the midfielder and are continuing to assess alternative targets before deciding whether to pursue a deal.
Any move for Fernandez would represent a major financial commitment, much more than the £52m that was required to seal a deal for Cucurella. Chelsea are expected to demand a fee of around £120m should the midfielder seek an exit this summer.
The valuation could complicate negotiations despite the positive relationship between the two clubs.
Madrid are currently weighing up less expensive options, including West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes and Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi. Fernandez would be a signing expected to have immediate impact while Bouaddi might need some time to bed in. Fernandez is something of a cross between the two.
Fernandez has previously spoken of his admiration for Madrid and his desire to live in the Spanish capital, comments that led Chelsea to discipline him with a two-match benching earlier this year.
Mourinho is also understood to be supportive of a potential move, having already played a significant role in persuading Bernardo Silva to join from Manchester City while he was on the verge of a move to Barcelona.
Madrid have completed deals for Cucurella, Silva and Ibrahima Konate, while Denzel Dumfries is also expected to join.
The midfield area is not expected to be left without additional strengthening beyond Silva since the club believe Luka Modric and Toni Kroos have not been properly replaced.
