Real Madrid are reportedly set to face competition from Arsenal and West Ham United in the race to sign River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
According to a report from Fichajes, River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is a transfer target for Real Madrid, has popped up on the radars of Premier League sides Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Fernandez came through the ranks at River Plate. After enjoying a solid loan spell at Defensa y Justicia, the 21-year-old has become a mainstay in the middle of the park for the Argentine giants since last year. He has made 28 appearances for Marcelo Gallardo’s side, scoring two goals and setting up four more.
The former Argentina Under-20 international’s rise to prominence in South America has attracted the attention of several top clubs from across Europe, with Real Madrid among the interested parties, along with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Real Madrid are on the lookout for young midfielders as they look to lay down a succession plan in place to take over from the current first-choice trio of Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos. Moves for the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Jude Bellingham have been mooted, with Enzo Fernandez also catching their attention recently.
However, they are now set to face competition from a host of English clubs, starting with Arsenal. The Gunners are also in the market for midfield reinforcements as Mohamed Elneny’s contract expires at the end of the season, while Granit Xhaka is linked with a move to AS Roma. Mikel Arteta is building a young and dynamic team at the Emirates, and Fernandez would fit the profile of players he wants to sign.
Meanwhile, Tottenham bolstered their midfield department in the January transfer window with Rodrigo Bentancur. However, manager Antonio Conte is not happy with the depth in the squad and is eyeing more options in the middle of the park. The Lilywhites have been linked with Matheus Nunes and Jordan Veretout, with Enzo Fernandez also emerging as a potential transfer target.
As for West Ham United, they will need to replace long-serving midfielder and club captain Mark Noble, who is set to retire at the end of the season. With loanee Alex Kral not making much of an impression, manager David Moyes will likely be forced to look elsewhere, making River Plate’s Fernandez a viable option for the east London giants.
Apart from Real Madrid and the three clubs mentioned above, Aston Villa, too, have taken an interest in the 21-year-old Argentine. Given the promise he has shown in his young career, Enzo Fernandez is likely to secure a move to Europe soon, if not in the upcoming summer transfer window. It remains to be seen if Real Madrid or the other interested clubs make a move for him.
