Updated: 26 May 2026 13:51 BST |
5 min read
Jose Mourinho has told Real Madrid he wants to sign at least four new players ahead of his expected return to the club, according to reports in Spain.
Widespread reports have indicated the Portuguese is in final negotiations to become Los Blancos’ next head coach, with the 63-year-old set to replace outgoing manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
BBC Sport understands Mourinho, who is currently in charge of Benfica, has a clause in his contract which would allow Real to secure his services for €3million (£2.6m), though it is due to expire today (Tuesday, 26 May).
Should Real fail to appoint Mourinho before the clause expires, Portuguese publication Record claims Benfica plan to slap a €15m (£12.9m) asking price on the 63-year-old’s shoulders.
While there is fresh uncertainty regarding Mourinho’s return to the club whom he managed between 2011 and 2013, rumours continue to swirl regarding who the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ would look to sign if he eventually becomes Real manager.
Spanish outlet COPE claims Mourinho would be interested in bringing Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand to Real, while Manchester City star Rodri continues to be linked with the La Liga giants after refusing to rule out a move in March.
And now, according to Spanish publication Diario AS, Mourinho has told Real president Florentino Perez he wants to sign at least one central defender, at least one full-back and two central midfielders upon his expected arrival.
The same outlet claims Real need to strengthen at full-back and centre-back with Dani Carvajal and David Alaba set to leave the club when their contracts expire next month, while midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos face uncertain futures.
BBC Sport understands Manchester United are interested in signing Tchouameni this summer, with Spanish publication Fichajes even claiming the club are preparing an ambitious €80m (£69m) offer to sign him.
Real gripped by elections called by president Perez
Meanwhile, Real are currently in the midst of presidential elections called by current incumbent Perez, who is facing competition from renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme.
In quotes carried by The Athletic, Riquelme announced his decision to stand for the presidency at Real’s Valdebebas training ground last Saturday, saying: “Today is a very important day for Real Madrid. After 20 years, there will finally be a chance to vote. This is not a candidacy against anyone; it is in favour of Real Madrid, in support of a project we have worked on extensively up to this point and that we would decide on today.
“We have an enormously important project in sporting terms and socially; there are many initiatives that the members will love. I ask them not to be afraid, to be brave, to listen to us, and to vote between the two candidacies thinking about the short, medium, and long term.
“Once the electoral board officially names us as candidates, we will have two weeks to present all the projects we have, and I hope you will allow all the messages to reach every corner of Spain.”
Riquelme is the only person challenging Real president Perez, who has stood unopposed in the club’s last four electoral cycles in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025.
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