One of Real Madrid's main priorities in the upcoming summer transfer window is signing the perfect midfielder to replace Toni Kroos. The club has drawn up a long list of their ideal targets, with some players being considered more than others, with Manchester City's Rodri being the strongest linked player with a move to the Bernabeu. However new reports from Spain suggest the Spaniard is further away from a move than many believe, with this Chelsea midfielder closer than Rodri.
As being reported by Marca (via theMadridZone on X) their information indicates that Rodri will not join Real Madrid this summer. Club president Florentino Perez does not want the midfielder, with their reports suggesting the Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez is actually closer to joining Los Blancos than Rodri is.
Enzo Fernandez will still be tough
Rodri isn't the only midfielder with strong links to Los Blancos this summer, with Enzo Fernandez being linked with Real Madrid for months but no move has ever come close to materializing, until now. The 25-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge following the 2022 FIFA World Cup for €120 million but he could be on the move once again soon.
Given Rodri won the Ballon d'Or, it is surprising that Florentino Perez has rejected him joining Madrid outright after the Spaniard openly flirted with leaving Manchester City for his Champions League rival, even though he once played for a bigger rival in Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid view Fernandez the perfect replacement for Toni Kroos, and with the uncertainty surrounding a number of players at Chelsea who could leave in the summer, Los Blancos view now as the perfect time to grab the midfielder in a potential cut price deal.
Enzo himself is even dropping small hints at wanting to player for Los Blancos, while on a live stream he was asked what other city would he like to live in, and he gave an obvious answer:
"Which other city would you like to live in?Enzo Fernandez
Madrid...I like Madrid very much...it's similar to Buenos Aires."
However despite strong links, a move for the midfielder could prove difficult for a number of reasons. Not only is he under contract with the Premier League side until 2031, Enzo is a cornerstone piece for Chelsea's long-term project, and with the Argentine currently the captain of The Blues, it seems he won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Adding on top of all that his exuberant price tag of well over €150 million, and a transfer for Enzo seems to be more likely to happen in FIFA than real life.