Soccer
Report: Real Madrid Prepared to Sacrifice Aurelien Tchouameni to Sign World Cup Winner
Real Madrid is reportedly eyeing a move for Chelsea and Argentina star Enzo Fernandez. The reigning European champions are supposedly prepared to dispose of Aurelien Tchouameni to afford the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.
Real Madrid Wants to Sign Chelsea Star Enzo Fernandez
Following Toni Kroos’ departure, Los Blancos are lacking a midfielder who possesses vision, game-reading, and excellent organizational ability. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net, they want to fill that hole next summer and have identified Chelsea midfielder Fernandez as the perfect man for the job.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti reportedly sees him as the perfect addition to the midfield, which houses world-class talents like Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga. The Italian manager wants someone who can take control of the midfield and dictate the tempo. The fact that Fernandez is only 23 years old also aligns with Madrid’s philosophy of forming a youth-infused core.
The Argentine central midfielder could be open to the move due to a lack of playing time under Enzo Maresca. Chelsea is also nowhere close to challenging for the English top-flight title, which could encourage Fernandez to join a club with a more stable project.
Aurelien Tchouameni Could Make Way for Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea signed Fernandez for a blockbuster €121 million ($131.6 million) fee in January 2023, tying him down to a massive nine-and-a-half-year deal. Real Madrid, aware that the Blues will not let him go for cheap, is prepared to pay around €100 million ($108.7 million) to sign Lionel Messi‘s compatriot.
To finalize the move, Los Merengues must make room in the squad as well as the payroll. As per the aforementioned report, Tchouameni has emerged as the most likely candidate who could head out to facilitate Fernandez’s transfer. Real Madrid could reportedly try to include the Frenchman in the negotiations for Fernandez, offering him to the Blues to bring down the total expenditure.
Real Madrid is not happy with how Tchouameni has performed this season and does not consider him untouchable anymore. Ancelotti still has faith in the 25-year-old, but President Florentino Perez, as well as some members of the hierarchy, feel Camavinga is better suited for the holding midfield role. Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri is also believed to be on Los Blancos’ radar.