Real Madrid are heavily linked with signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea. Ben Jacobs says that "Real Madrid are set to open negotiations with Chelsea for Enzo Fernández" although they would want to lower his fee before any deal could happen.
However, we know that there's been talk that Fernandez would be open to moving away from Chelsea and the pull of Madrid is unmatched. Plus with no European football for the Blues, the CFC midfielder might look at that and think why should I stay?
How this helps United is that in potentially signing Fernandez, it could mean the departure of Aurelien Tchouameni, and you know how much we are in need of a midfielder like him at United.
And the news gets better as Mundo Deportivo are reporting that "Aurelien Tchouameni could leave Real Madrid this summer as the club looks to sign a new midfielder."
If that new midfielder is Enzo, then there's the chance to sign the Frenchman for United.
I think we'd all be pretty happy with that 🤝.
I don't think it makes sense for Madrid to have two midfielders of the same ilk and if the reports are true in that they want a marquee midfielder of their own, then Tchouameni should be on his way out.
As this is Real Madrid though, you wouldn't be surprised if they signed Fernandez AND keep Tchouameni.
If this is the case, then we have a clear route to Mateus Fernandes.
Jose Mourinho is said to be a big fan of his fellow Portuguese and does want him at Madrid but Enzo Fernandez is higher up on their list. Should the Argentine sign for them and they keep Tchouameni, then Fernandes should be an easier target.
The rest of that report from Mundo Deportivo said that "Real Madrid are also interested in Mateus Fernandes, a player Manchester United are targeting, which could create competition between the two clubs in the market."
I don't think competition in the market will be created.
I believe that Enzo will go to Madrid, Tchouameni will be allowed to leave and we can sign him, or he stays with Enzo and United can go in for Mateus Fernandes.
The only issue is the third scenario:
If Madrid decide not to go for Fernandez and instead got for Fernandes (these guys need to change their surnames 😅) and Tchouameni ends up staying, then we're sort of screwed.
I don't think that this will happen. I believe Madrid will get Enzo from Chelsea as he is better and more of a marquee signing - not to mention he's more a Real Madrid-type player than Fernandes - they will get him. We know what Madrid are like.
So this will pave the way for United to sign Tchouameni or Fernandes.
In a way, Real Madrid could indirectly be helping United with the most important transfer of the window.
Personally, I would hope they sign Enzo, Tchouameni leaves and United swoop in. That would be ideal.
I personally don't rate Mateus Fernandes that highly and as I've said many times, I see him in the same tier (tier 3) as that of Ederson, whom we already have.
But how are you feeling about this? Do you also see Enzo Fernandez potentially signing for Real Madrid as something that could trigger a chain reaction which in the end, helps United out? Or do we just have to do things ourselves?
Enzo Fernandez | Creator: Mike Hewitt Copyright: 2026 Getty Images via Goal
Aurelien Tchouameni | Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images - Managing Madrid
Mateus Fernandes | Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images via Hammers News