Jose Mourinho has made it clear to Real Madrid’s board that a new centre-back and a creative midfielder remain his two most urgent priorities before the transfer window shuts, with the message reinforced on the eve of his first pre-season training session at Valdebebas.
According to a fresh update from Mundo Deportivo, Mourinho is satisfied with the business Madrid have completed so far this summer — Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Denzel Dumfries have all arrived — but still regards central midfield and central defence as unfinished business. The club’s sporting department has told the head coach that any further arrivals will depend largely on departures, with the door for exits still described as only half-open.
Enzo Fernandez Remains Mourinho’s Top Midfield Target
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez continues to be Mourinho’s preferred option in midfield, a stance first reported by ESPN sources earlier in the window and reaffirmed by Marca this month, though The Athletic reports Chelsea’s roughly £120million valuation makes a deal difficult to complete. Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes remain alternatives on Madrid’s list.
At centre-back, Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni is admired and valued by Marca at around €70million, while Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck has fallen out of contention after The Athletic reported his injury will keep him out of training until late August. Real Madrid have already made defensive reinforcement a summer priority after a season of injury problems at the back.
For now, incomings hinge on Madrid trimming the midfield and defensive ranks first — a process Mourinho is understood to be driving personally as he begins life back in charge of the club he first managed 13 years ago.
