For the past 13 years, Luka Modric has been one of Real Madrid's standout players and most consistent performers.
Now 39, however, and with his contract expiring this summer, it’s widely expected that this season will be his last at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Replacing the six-time Champions League winner and 2018 Ballon d’Or recipient will, of course, be no easy task.
But according to former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, Los Blancos may have already identified their ideal successor.
Speaking with Football Insider, Brown, who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, revealed that Madrid are eyeing Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as a replacement for the departing Croatian.
“Real Madrid have been having a look at him, they’ve got their own issues in midfield and Modric is coming towards the end of his time there," Brown revealed.
The former United scout noted that while Fernandez, who has five goals and nine assists for Chelsea this season, remains a key part of manager Enzo Maresca's long-term plans, a significant offer from Madrid could change the equation for both club and player.
"Fernandez has been an important player for them this season and he’s very much a part of the long-term plans," Brown said. "But if a big offer comes in for him, I don’t think it can be ruled out that they’d let him go."
“If it’s a big offer, they will be tempted because that’s what the plan is there, they’ve got replacements already contracted to the club," he added. "I’ve said before – players usually find it very difficult to turn down Real Madrid when they come calling."
Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for a club and Premier League record £106.8 million.
After a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge, the World Cup-winning Argentine has grown into a vital player for Maresca’s side. This season, in particular, he has been one of the club’s standout performers in what has otherwise been a challenging campaign.
Last month, Maresca heaped praise on the 24-year-old, lauding his development as a leader within the team.
"He behaved as a leader and he is doing top, fantastic," the Italian coach said after Chelsea's 4-0 win over Southampton, in which Fernandez captained the side.
"For sure Enzo has taken a step forward in that sense," Maresca explained. "He is showing how good a leader he is, how good he is on the ball, how good he is off the ball, and we are delighted with him."
Chelsea should sell Fernandez for the right offer
Everything Chelsea says...
After what feels like an eternity, Fernandez is finally showcasing the talent that convinced Chelsea to pay Benfica such a massive fee for him in 2023.
Not only is he, as Maresca pointed out, demonstrating leadership qualities – something club captain Reece James arguably lacks – but he is also finding the net regularly and providing the creative spark from midfield that had been missing in his game.
However, while Fernandez has no doubt improved, is he truly living up to his £106 million price tag? Probably not.
Should Madrid come calling with an offer anywhere near that figure, Chelsea should seriously consider accepting.
Not only do they have an arguably better midfielder in Romeo Lavia recovering from injury, but the funds from Fernandez’s sale could significantly strengthen the squad in areas where reinforcements are more urgently needed – most notably up front.
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