West Ham crisis opens the door for Real Madrid to sign Mateus Fernandes
After strengthening the defense, José Mourinho has turned his attention to midfield, with a rising Premier League star emerging as a priority target.
José Mourinho has made one thing clear after a series of meetings with Real Madrid’s leadership: beyond reinforcing the defense, a process already underway with the arrivals of Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries, his other major priority is reshaping the midfield.
Several names have been linked with the Spanish giants in recent weeks, but one stands above the rest in Mourinho’s eyes: West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder has emerged as one of the coach’s preferred targets as Real Madrid looks to refresh the heart of its squad.
West Ham’s turmoil could open the door
The London club has been rocked in recent days by the departure of its president amid a series of controversies, creating uncertainty at the executive level.
Combined with the team’s relegation from the Premier League, the instability has left several players considering their futures rather than spending next season in England’s second tier.
That situation could provide Real Madrid with an opportunity.
As AS previously reported, Fernandes has been one of the breakout performers in the Premier League this season. His omission from Roberto Martínez’s Portugal squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup raised eyebrows, particularly given the level of his performances.
Manchester United and Chelsea were among the first clubs to show interest in the midfielder, highlighting the growing competition for his signature.
The price tag challenge
Reports in England have suggested an initial valuation of around €90 million, roughly $105 million.
However, transfer fees between English clubs are often significantly higher than those involving teams from other European leagues, meaning Real Madrid may have a better chance of negotiating a lower figure than a domestic rival would.
Jorge Mendes working behind the scenes
Jorge Mendes, who represents both Fernandes and Mourinho, is already working on a deal that is expected to be complicated but remains a priority for the new Real Madrid manager.
The belief in Fernandes’ potential is strong. Those close to the situation view him as a player whose development is far from complete, making him particularly appealing to Mourinho as he begins his new era in Madrid.
Although many expected Fernandes to make Portugal’s World Cup roster, the country’s remarkable depth in midfield ultimately worked against him.
Why Mourinho likes Fernandes
Mourinho wants players who combine commitment, intensity and technical quality, and Fernandes fits that profile perfectly based on his performances this past season.
What was once considered an under-the-radar option has now become one of Real Madrid’s top transfer objectives.
Another player with a somewhat similar blend of grit and quality is Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand. The Denmark international is a more physical midfielder than Fernandes, but he possesses many of the characteristics Mourinho values.
For now, though, Fernandes appears to be the midfielder at the top of Real Madrid’s wishlist as Mourinho continues shaping his squad for the season ahead.
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