Prospective Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly informed the club’s board of his desire to part ways with six first-team players. The Portuguese tactician has already begun planning the summer transfer window strategy with president Florentino Perez.
The official announcement of the “Special One’s” return to the Santiago Bernabeu depends on Perez winning the upcoming club presidential elections scheduled for this Sunday.
Six Players Placed on the Transfer List
The first major casualty of Mourinho’s planned squad overhaul is Eduardo Camavinga. This aligns directly with the board’s long-term vision, as selling the French midfielder is expected to generate significant funds to finance summer signings.
In a shocking twist, Rodrygo Goes has also been deemed surplus to requirements. However, as the Brazilian is currently recovering from an ACL injury, a summer transfer may prove difficult due to his medical status.
The trio of Raúl Asensio, Dani Ceballos, and Fran García are also completely outside of Mourinho’s plans. Real Madrid has already initiated their exit processes; Ceballos is close to joining Ajax, García is heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, while Asensio is expected to find a new home within La Liga.
Finally, Mourinho has requested the temporary departure of youngster Franco Mastantuono. The club plans to loan him to a team in Europe’s top five leagues to ensure regular playing time before assessing his long-term future.
Tchouaméni and the Midfield Domino Effect
Mourinho does not object to selling Aurélien Tchouaméni, but on one strict condition: the club must sign a replacement of equal caliber. The 63-year-old manager has identified West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes as his primary target.
Tchouaméni already has a substantial offer from Manchester United, and his sale could directly fund the pursuit of Fernandes. Following West Ham’s recent relegation to the EFL Championship, the Portuguese midfielder is certain to leave the London Stadium, though English media outlets suggest his price tag will not be less than €60 million.
Mourinho’s Defensive Demands
In addition to pursuing deals for Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries, Mourinho wants another center-back and a left-back. Unconvinced by Álvaro Carreras, the former Chelsea boss has targeted Marc Cucurella. While Chelsea is open to selling, Cucurella’s Barcelona past and his previously stated desire to return to Camp Nou remain major hurdles.
Furthermore, Arsenal’s versatile defender Riccardo Calafiori, who can operate as both a center-back and left-back, remains Mourinho’s ultimate dream signing for the summer.
Bellingham and Valverde Deemed “Untouchable”
Two players who are strictly non-negotiable for Mourinho are Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde. Despite recent off-field headlines surrounding the Uruguayan, Mourinho views Valverde as the ideal player for his tactical setup due to his immense work rate and physicality.
As for Bellingham, Mourinho considers his recent dip in form to be a natural reflection of the team’s collective struggles last season, remaining confident that under the right conditions, the Englishman will replicate his stellar debut-season performances.
