Mourinho Gets Green Light for Fernandez Raid as Madrid Plot Chelsea Poach

Jose Mourinho is set to make a dramatic return to Real Madrid, and the Portuguese boss has already identified his first major target: Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez.

Mourinho will take charge on an initial two-year deal with a further year's option, arriving to replace Alvaro Arbeloa following Madrid's second consecutive campaign without silverware. His predecessor Xabi Alonso lasted only until January before being dismissed, with subsequent months bringing further deterioration—dressing room discord and friction between players and coaching staff have become the hallmark of a troubled season.

Florentino Perez has tasked Mourinho with restoring order and reclaiming LaLiga and Champions League honours. To that end, the club president has already sanctioned an audacious move for the Argentine midfielder.

Fernandez represents the kind of statement arrival Mourinho craves to energise his second stint at the Bernabeu. While Rodri remains Madrid's preferred midfield target, Manchester City's unwillingness to part with the Spaniard has forced a pivot. Alexis Mac Allister was briefly considered, though Madrid view Fernandez as the superior prospect with greater longevity.

The groundwork is well advanced. Perez has commissioned detailed preparation, with Madrid fully appraised of the financial architecture necessary to complete the transfer. Chelsea paid £106m for Fernandez when recruiting him from Benfica, and the Blues are determined to extract a profit—valuations have reportedly climbed beyond £120m.

Crucially, Fernandez's representatives have already signalled to Chelsea that their man wishes to depart. The 25-year-old and his camp are refusing to entertain contract renewal discussions, making his determination to reach Madrid abundantly clear.

His previous comments whilst on Argentina duty left little to the imagination. "I'd like to live in Spain. I really like Madrid; it reminds me of Buenos Aires," he remarked. "Players live where they want. I'd live in Madrid. I get by in English, but I'd be more comfortable in Spanish." Those remarks earned him a two-game internal suspension from Chelsea in April.

Perez is keen to wrap up the deal swiftly, viewing a Fernandez capture as a morale boost for his presidential campaign. Yet Madrid face competition from an unexpected quarter: Manchester City, with incoming manager Enzo Maresca reportedly keen to reunite with both Fernandez and Marc Cucurella at the Etihad.

For Xabi Alonso, Fernandez's potential departure would represent another blow as he prepares to take the Chelsea reins this summer. The Blues endured a dire campaign, finishing tenth in the Premier League and missing out on European football entirely, leaving them vulnerable to such raids on their squad.