Real Madrid are prepared to shell out €20 million to sign River Plate prodigy Enzo Fernandez, who is a target for Barcelona and Manchester United.
According to a report from Defensa Central, Real Madrid are intent on signing River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez in the summer transfer window and are prepared to pay €20 million for his services. The 21-year-old is also a target for Barcelona and Manchester United, among other European clubs.
Enzo Fernandez came through the youth ranks at River Plate and made his senior bow in March 2020 under Marcelo Gallardo. Following that, the young midfielder had a loan stint away at Defensa y Justicia before returning to his parent club last year. Since then, he has been a regular fixture in the lineup for the Argentine giants, making 36 appearances in which he has six goals and assists apiece.
Enzo Fernandez has also been called up to the Argentina national team, although he is yet to make his debut for the Albiceleste. Nevertheless, the midfield prodigy’s performances have attracted a host of admirers from across Europe, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Real Madrid are on the lookout for midfield reinforcements as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are well into their thirties and will soon need to be replaced. Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga are ready to take over but with Isco and Dani Ceballos set to depart, more depth and quality will be needed in the midfield department.
Considering Enzo Fernandez’s potential and promise, he would be a viable target for Real Madrid. However, Los Blancos have to deal with competition from a host of other clubs from Europe, including arch-rivals Barcelona.
The Blaugrana have a quality midfield department already, which will be further boosted by the imminent arrival of Franck Kessie. But with Sergio Busquets entering the final phase of his career, a slot could soon open up on the roster. At the same time, Riqui Puig is also linked with an exit. So, someone like Enzo Fernandez would be an option worth considering for Barcelona.
Apart from the two La Liga behemoths, Manchester United are also heavily interested in the 21-year-old Fernandez. But, the report states that Real Madrid are ready to step up their pursuit of the Argentine by paying a transfer fee of €20 million for his services.
However, there is some concern within the camp that if they are successful in signing Enzo Fernandez, they might have to send him to the Castilla team or loan him back to River Plate due to his non-EU status. The three slots in the roster have been occupied by Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Eder Militao.
While Vinicius will soon be getting a Spanish passport, his slot would likely fall to Vinicius Tobias, who was recently signed from Shakhtar Donetsk. So, until either Rodrygo or Militao get their Spanish passports, which would happen next year, Real Madrid would have to loan Enzo Fernandez out for a season. It remains to be seen if Los Blancos press ahead with their pursuit of the 21-year-old come summer.
Hope he doesn’t end up like Ceballos