José Mourinho is not done shopping. With Real Madrid’s pursuit of Rodri all but dead, the manager has revived his push for Alessandro Bastoni, according to Bernabéu Digital, which casts the Inter defender as a “now or never” target before the window shuts. Reinforcing the heart of the defence, the outlet says, is now Mourinho’s overriding summer priority.
The shift makes sense in context. Yan Diomande’s club-record arrival is confirmed, and Rodri — long Mourinho’s midfield dream — is reportedly leaning towards Barcelona, a saga The Guardian reported has swung Barça’s way. Bernabéu Digital claims that, with Diomande potentially registered initially with Castilla, room could open for another first-team addition. Inter, the same report states, value Bastoni at around €60m.
Why Mourinho rates Bastoni
Madrid already added Ibrahima Konaté on a free this summer, so any deal would be about depth and leadership rather than necessity. Mourinho, per the report, prizes Bastoni’s ball-playing, his authority and his ability to lift a back line — qualities that would complement Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen. Whether Florentino Pérez sanctions the spend so late in the summer transfer market is another matter.
Nothing is agreed, and Bernabéu Digital is clear this remains a Mourinho wish rather than a live negotiation. But with deadline day nearing, expect the centre-back question to linger over Valdebebas.
