Mourinho targets Enzo Fernandez for Real Madrid as Camavinga faces exit to fund £106m deal

Jose Mourinho has earmarked Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez as a priority signing at Real Madrid, though the Spanish club will not move for the Argentine until they have sanctioned at least one significant midfield departure, according to ESPN.

Fernandez, who cost Chelsea £106 million following the 2022 World Cup, has done little to dampen speculation about a move to the Bernabeu. The 24-year-old has spoken publicly about Madrid as a destination and declined to commit his future to Chelsea, a stance that earned him a suspension under then-manager Liam Rosenior last season.

Real have placed further midfield signings on hold pending an outgoing deal. Eduardo Camavinga is considered the most likely candidate to leave, though the Frenchman is understood to want to stay, which could complicate any sale. Several English clubs have registered interest. Aurelien Tchouameni is also being assessed, with Manchester United among the sides monitoring his situation. However, Real view the Frenchman as their only specialist holding midfielder, making his departure less straightforward.

Dani Ceballos has already been confirmed as an exit from the club, freeing up some squad space as Mourinho reshapes his roster.

The Portuguese manager has moved quickly since returning for a second spell in charge, raiding the Premier League for reinforcements. Real have already signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea for £51 million as part of a defensive overhaul, while Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva arrived on free transfers after their respective contracts at Liverpool and Manchester City expired. Denzel Dumfries has also been brought in to strengthen the right-back position.

Cucurella has openly encouraged a reunion with Fernandez at the Bernabeu. “He’s a great player and a friend of mine. He congratulated me on the signing,” the defender told Marca. “I hope it happens. I would be very happy. We were very happy at Chelsea, and to have the opportunity to both sign for Real Madrid in the same summer… I hope he’s lucky and becomes a Real Madrid player.”

Whether Chelsea would sanction the sale of a player they paid a then-British record fee for remains a key question, as does the price Real would be willing to pay for a midfielder who still has significant value on the market.