Real Madrid affected by “exaggerated” transfer fees in bid to sign midfielder | OneFootball

Real Madrid have already €80m in transfer fees this summer to sign Marc Cucurella (€60m), Denzel Dumfries (€20m), Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva (both free), but this figure could rise significantly by the time all of their business is done. There are plans to add another centre-back into the mix, while new head coach Jose Mourinho has also asked for the signing of a world class midfielder.

In regards to the latter, their task will not be made easy. A number of candidates have been identified, but the problem is that clubs are asking for prices that Real Madrid are not currently willing to pay – this is especially the case with Mourinho’s preferred target Enzo Fernandez, with Chelsea having reportedly set an asking price in the region of €140m.

Real Madrid are not prepared to come close to this amount, but the problem they face is that Chelsea have basis for their asking price – namely with Manchester City being about to sign Elliot Anderson, a far less established player, for €150m. This “exaggerated market” is causing problems for the club, as per Diario AS.

High prices could also work to Real Madrid’s advantage

While there is no doubt that an inflated market is bad for Real Madrid’s midfielder search, it could also help them receive more money for some of the players they are willing to sell this summer. Notably, French pair Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga are attracting Premier League interest, so there is basis for club bosses to demand upwards of €100m for both players – especially the former, given that he’s widely considered to be one of the best defensive midfielders in world football.

It remains to be seen what happens with Fernandez, Tchouameni and/or Camavinga this summer, but it would be no surprise to see at least one of them on the move for a significant transfer fee.