Mourinho Wanted Enzo Fernandez at Real Madrid Before Manchester City Move
Real Madrid reportedly considered signing Rodri during the summer transfer window, but new Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was said to be the player Jose Mourinho preferred to strengthen his midfield. Despite the manager’s interest, however, Los Blancos never submitted an official bid for the Argentina international.
Madrid were active in the transfer market throughout the summer as they sought to rebuild the squad under Mourinho. Several new arrivals have already been integrated into the first team, and the early results have been encouraging, with Real Madrid collecting nine points from their opening three La Liga matches.
However, according to The Athletic, Mourinho remained keen to add another high-calibre midfielder before the transfer window closed. Fernandez was reportedly among his preferred targets, although the club’s recruitment strategy focused primarily on Rodri.
Mourinho is believed to have regarded Fernandez as a particularly suitable fit for his tactical approach. Compared with Rodri, the Portuguese coach reportedly saw the Argentine as a more complete midfielder capable of contributing effectively at both ends of the pitch, while also providing the vision and work rate required to control the centre of the field.
Fernandez had already been linked with a move to Madrid since last season, making Mourinho’s interest in the 25-year-old unsurprising. Nevertheless, the reported preference from the coach never translated into a formal offer from the Spanish giants.
Manchester City subsequently moved decisively, securing Fernandez for a reported €150 million. The Premier League club viewed him as a potential long-term successor to Rodri, who had already departed for Barcelona.
The outcome left Madrid facing disappointment on two fronts. They failed to sign the midfielder Mourinho reportedly wanted, while their alternative target Rodri also moved elsewhere.
Despite those setbacks, Mourinho has so far managed to answer the questions surrounding his midfield with results on the pitch. Real Madrid have made a perfect start to the league campaign, collecting maximum points from their first three matches.
In the absence of both Fernandez and Rodri, Mourinho has relied on Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham to form an effective partnership in the centre of midfield. When Bellingham pushes higher up the pitch, Bernardo Silva or Fede Valverde can move into the deeper role alongside Camavinga.
The early success suggests Mourinho may have found a workable solution despite missing out on both of his preferred midfield targets. Whether that balance can be maintained throughout a long season, however, will be one of the major tests facing the Portuguese manager.
