Real Madrid want to accelerate pursuit of Chelsea ace after stellar World Cup performance | OneFootball

Enzo Fernandez was one of the stars for Argentina as they secured a brilliant win over Algeria in the opening match of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick.

Fernandez’s performance comes on the back of reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid, with the Chelsea superstar emerging as Jose Mourinho’s top pick in midfield.

Real Madrid, who have recently announced the signing of Bernardo Silva on a free transfer, do not want to wait either.

Real Madrid plan to accelerate Enzo Fernandez pursuit

Enzo Fernandez in action against Algeria. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

According to MARCA, Real Madrid have identified Enzo Fernandez as their number one target to strengthen the midfield, with the Argentine sitting at the very top of the list of names Mourinho has put forward.

Fernandez made his desire to one day move to the Spanish capital abundantly clear back in March, in comments that caused a stir at Stamford Bridge and temporarily saw him removed from the team dynamic.

“I would like to live in Spain. I really like Madrid, it reminds me of Buenos Aires. I would live in Madrid. A player lives wherever he wants. I get by with English, but with Spanish I would be better off,” he said at the time.

Enzo is the priority, and his early World Cup heroics have only strengthened Real Madrid’s resolve to get a deal done as quickly as possible, similar to the Cucurella deal.

A complicated but possible deal

The operation is unlikely to be as straightforward as the Cucurella deal, primarily due to the price.

Chelsea have not ruled out Enzo’s sale. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

His agent, former footballer Javier Pastore, is aware of both Real Madrid’s interest and his client’s desire to make the move.

Chelsea are not ruling out a sale, particularly as Xabi Alonso does not want to retain any player who is not fully committed to the project.

However, the London outfit will not make life easy and have always valued Fernandez at no less than €120 million, the fee they paid Benfica for him in January 2023.

The alternatives on Mourinho’s list

Should the Enzo deal fall through, Mourinho has alternatives ready. Mateus Fernandes of West Ham remains one of the Portuguese coach’s favoured options, a 21-year-old who fits the profile of a creative, dynamic midfielder capable of breaking down low defensive blocks.

The name of Ayyoub Bouaddi, one of the breakout stars of the World Cup, has also emerged strongly in recent hours.