Jose Mourinho discusses Mateus Fernandes with Real Madrid hierarchy

Jose Mourinho met with Real Madrid hierarchy to discuss the possible signing of 21-year-old midfielder Mateus Fernandes. The meeting took place last night and covered project ideas and transfer decisions.

A photo by Richard Pelham accompanies the report. Real Madrid are actively seeking a creative midfielder; Enzo Fernandez is among their top targets, but Chelsea are demanding a fee well north of €100 million for him.

West Ham, the Premier League club that owns Fernandes, are asking for €90 million. Arsenal and Manchester United are also pursuing the player, creating the possibility of a bidding war. Another image by Alex Pantling shows West Ham's demand.

Fabrizio Romano reported that Mourinho prefers Fernandes as a practical option, though no concrete talks have begun. The 21-year-old's contract is said to run until 2030, giving West Ham leverage in negotiations.