Mourinho Targets West Ham's Mateus Fernandes for Real Madrid
José Mourinho has never been shy about drawing up big plans, and this time his gaze has fallen on a surprise name from a relegated side.
According to AS, the Portuguese coach has identified West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes as one of the pillars he would like to bring to Real Madrid if Florentino Pérez wins the upcoming presidential election and hands him the keys to a new project at the Bernabéu.
A relegated gem on Mourinho’s radar
Mourinho is already sketching out his vision for Madrid’s next cycle, quietly feeding the hierarchy a list of reinforcements he believes can reset the squad. Among the names circulating, Fernandes stands out as one of the most intriguing.
On paper, a 21-year-old from a team that just dropped into the second tier does not scream “Galáctico.” On the pitch, it has been a different story.
Fernandes enjoyed a genuine breakthrough in the Premier League, emerging as one of the few bright spots in a bleak West Ham campaign. While the club slid towards relegation, the young midfielder’s reputation moved in the opposite direction, built on a run of mature, high-energy performances that caught the eye of scouts across Europe.
Mourinho, always alert to Portuguese talent, is said to be particularly taken by Fernandes’ profile. AS reports that he sees in his compatriot many of the traits he considers essential for a Real Madrid midfielder: intensity, tactical discipline, and the personality to handle big nights in a white shirt.
The numbers back up the impression. Fernandes featured in 36 Premier League matches last season, scoring three goals and supplying four assists. Those figures only tell part of the story. Week after week he showed he could influence games at both ends of the pitch, snapping into duels, driving play forward and offering a reliable outlet in possession for a team often under siege.
A complicated chase
Relegation usually invites predators. West Ham’s drop to the second tier has inevitably opened the door for interested clubs, and the market has taken note.
Real Madrid do not move alone here. Liverpool and Arsenal are also monitoring Fernandes’ situation closely, aware that his age and profile fit the Premier League’s current obsession with dynamic, all-action midfielders. Any club hoping to steal a march will have to move quickly and decisively.
There is another factor working in Madrid’s favour. Relations between the Spanish giants and super-agent Jorge Mendes have improved, and that renewed understanding could help smooth what promises to be a complex negotiation. Mendes’ influence across the European market is well known; when he is aligned with a club’s interests, deals that once looked difficult can suddenly gather pace.
Price remains the first major obstacle. The report suggests talks would likely have to begin around the £80 million mark. For a player coming off a relegation, it is a hefty starting point and a clear statement that West Ham will not be pushed into a cut-price sale simply because of their new status.
For Mourinho, though, the equation is simple. He views Fernandes as an investment in the core of his team, not a luxury piece. In his mind, the young Portuguese can inject the energy, balance and character that Madrid’s midfield lacked at key moments last season.
If Pérez returns to power and hands Mourinho the project he craves, the pursuit of Mateus Fernandes could become one of the defining early battles of the new era.
