Manchester City new signing was Mourinho’s preferred midfield target for Real Madrid – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid have done a lot of smart business this summer and it has been evident in the results so far this season.

However, one area the club have struggled to reinforce is the midfield unit. Los Blancos were close to signing Rodri, but the Spanish international ended up joining Barcelona, much to the frustration of coach Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho, though, may have been more frustrated about Real Madrid missing out on another midfielder in Enzo Fernandez.

Fernandez was Mourinho’s preferred pick

According to The Athletic, Fernandez was Mourinho’s preferred option to reinforce the team’s midfield unit this summer.

Enzo Fernandez will play for Manchester City this summer. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

This is despite the fact that Real Madrid have denied the claim, with the club so far as to issuing a public press release saying they had no interest in the player.

Enzo ended up joining Manchester City in a deal worth almost €150 million, effectively making him the most expensive transfer of the summer.

The Argentine international also became the first player to have had two transfers in his career worth over €100 million.

What is Real Madrid’s play?

Fortunately for Real Madrid, the club have performed well early on in the new season with existing stars like Jude Bellingham taking a lot of initiative.

Will Mourinho go after a new midfielder in January? (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Bellingham has gelled with Eduardo Camavinga, thus adding the much needed solidity in the middle of the park.

That stability will be tested against better oppositions, though, and it will be interesting to see how the pack performs in those crunch matches. Real Madrid’s next game is against Real Betis, followed by a Champions League matchup against Inter Milan.

If Mourinho spots any weakness against these better teams, it won’t be surprising to see Real Madrid going after a new midfielder in the January transfer window.

That is where the availability with someone like Enzo Fernandez could have been handy. But now that the midfielder has joined Man City, Real Madrid must find other options in the market.