Jose Mourinho wants Real Madrid to prioritise move for €80m midfielder | OneFootball

Incoming Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was keen to have a significant say in their transfer activity this summer ahead of his return to the club. He has communicated that young West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes is one of his priority targets.

A midfielder has been cited as a priority for the club for some time, following their struggles to control games over the past two seasons, coinciding notably with the retirement of Toni Kroos. A number of midfielders have been linked to Los Blancos in the meantime, not least Vitinha and Joao Neves at Paris Saint-Germain. In addition, they are said to be in negotiations with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.

Mourinho keen for Real Madrid to sign Mateus Fernandes

(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

One of the names that has emerged over the past week is West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes. The 21-year-old has impressed in London, despite the Hammers’ relegation this season, but Real Madrid could face competition from Manchester United and Chelsea, who have both shown interest in him too. West Ham are reportedly looking for around €90m for Fernandes, but that price is expected to come down, say Diario AS.

Mourinho has told Real Madrid that he is a priority, due to the commitment he shows, and the quality he has.

Agent Jorge Mendes working on Real Madrid move

Image via Diario AS

On top of that, Fernandes’ agent, whom he shares with Mourinho, is Jorge Mendes. The Portuguese representative had for some time had little involvement with Los Blancos, but with the return of Mourinho, that will no longer be the case, and Mendes is already working on brokering a deal for Fernandes with West Ham. One of the alternatives that Mourinho has suggested is Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand. Cadena SER confirm Real Madrid’s interest in Fernandes, and add that Mourinho’s arrival also puts the signing of Bernardo Silva on the table.