Only been in Portugal for 4 months
Since 2018, Real Madrid have paid €404m in transfers for 12 signings aged 23 or under – more than any other club in the world. This transfer policy should be continued with the rejuvenation in midfield and the goals are, according to the “markThe most valuable players in the Bundesliga and the Portuguese league: Jude Bellingham (19, BVB) as the ideal solution and Enzo Fernández (21, Benfica) as an alternative.
Fernández, who has only been playing in Portugal since August, transferred from River Plate to Lisbon for €12m and hit the spot straight away. The Argentina international has since increased his market value to €35m and would be the cheaper alternative for the central midfield of the “Royals” – regardless of the €120m release clause.
Real is said to have positioned itself at Bellingham months ago, but the English competition for Liverpool FC is likely to drive the transfer fee well above the 100 million mark – the current market value of the Englishman. Both Bellingham and Fernández made their debuts for the national team at the World Cup and have also shown impressive marksmanship at club level. While the BVB talent’s contract is dated until 2025, the Argentine’s at Benfica runs until 2027 – in both cases there is a lot to be said for a farewell in the summer of 2023.
7x over 50 million euros: Most expensive central midfielder in the world
Marcel de Almeida, Area Manager Transfermarkt Portugal, says: “It is very likely that Enzo will move on after just one year at Benfica. I would rule out a move in January unless someone is really willing to pull the release clause. Benfica have great chances to become champions again and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League too, so they won’t sell a regular player in January. There could be a bid for Enzo in the summer and if his development continues at this rate I wouldn’t rule out €80m as a transfer fee.” Transfer rights to his own growth. According to Portugal expert de Almeida, the Argentine’s style of play can be compared to that of Joshua Kimmich.
According to “Marca”, Real Madrid were already interested in the Argentine last summer, but didn’t take it seriously because they didn’t have a vacancy for another non-EU foreigner in the squad and they weren’t sure how Fernández would manage the transition from Argentina to Europe would master. The latter question was answered by the player himself and Vinicius Junior (22), Rodrygo (21) and Éder Militão (24) were recently also equipped with the Spanish passport. The Brazilian trio was signed in 2018 and 2019 for a total of €145m.
Real Madrid’s midfield already prepared for the future
Whether it’s Fernández, Bellingham or another young midfielder, Real Madrid’s headquarters are prepared for the future: Eduardo Camavinga (20) came in 2021, followed by Aurélien Tchouameni (22) in 2022 to lead the trio consisting of Luka Modric (37) and Toni Kroos (32) and Casemiro (30, Man United), who was responsible for four Champions League titles.
With Kroos and Modric: End of contract at Real Madrid in 2023 & 2024
Not to be forgotten is the all-rounder Federico Valverde (24), who has been a member of the first team since 2018 after two years at Real Madrid Castilla and was able to increase his market value to €100m in the last LaLiga update. The Uruguayan has his strengths in central midfield and expanded his repertoire to include the right winger.
To home page