Transfer Market: With Olise Difficult, Mourinho Redirects Resources to Ex-Benfica Star

Real Madrid has identified 25-year-old Enzo Fernández as their primary target to bolster the midfield under new manager José Mourinho. According to the daily Marca, this decision was made recently after the merengues realized that the desired signing of Michael Olise was unrealistic. Consequently, their efforts and resources are now being redirected towards another 'galactic' target.

The publication reports that Florentino Pérez has already initiated procedures to negotiate with Chelsea in the coming days. A crucial factor favoring Real Madrid is the player's own desire, as he has reportedly informed the Spanish club of his intention to do everything possible to make the transfer happen.

Enzo Fernández, who played for Benfica in the 2022/23 season, has always been one of Mourinho's priorities at Real. Despite other midfield alternatives being scouted, such as Portuguese talent Mateus Fernandes — who reportedly prefers Tottenham, according to Marca — or Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi, none perfectly fit the profile sought by the Special One.

Conversely, the Portuguese coach sees Enzo as the perfect midfielder for the project he is building. The main obstacle in any potential negotiation is that Chelsea has already balanced their books with the €50 million sale of Cucurella... to Real. Additionally, Xabi Alonso also counts on the Argentine player. However, Enzo's determination to move to Madrid could make his continued stay in London untenable.

Enzo's desire to play in Spain is not new. Last season, the midfielder was fined by Chelsea after comments in an interview where he admitted his wish to live in Madrid, which was interpreted as a clear nod to the merengues. "I would like to live in Spain. I really like Madrid, it reminds me of Buenos Aires. I would live in Madrid. A footballer lives where he wants," he stated.

At the same time, Florentino Pérez knows that a move for the former Benfica player will always involve an investment exceeding €100 million. It's worth remembering that Chelsea paid Benfica €121 million for Enzo in January 2023. Adding to this, Enzo Fernández's contract with Chelsea runs until 2032. It's also not out of the question that Real Madrid might sell one of their midfield assets, namely Camavinga and/or Tchouaméni, who have attracted interest from the Premier League.

With four signings already secured — Bernardo Silva, Dumfries, Konaté, and Cucurella — Real and José Mourinho aim to quickly address the gaps identified by the coach. He is targeting the acquisition of another midfielder, potentially Enzo Fernández, and an additional central defender. Rúben Dias has already been linked as a target...