Jose Mourinho is set to be named as Real Madrid boss for the second time this week and already has his eyes on players he could lure to the Bernabeu, with one Arsenal star on his radar
Jose Mourinho is eyeing a move for Riccardo Calafiori as he plots his Real Madrid revolution. The newly appointed Real Madrid manager has identified the Arsenal defender as a key target in his Bernabeu overhaul.
It represents an audacious approach, particularly given Mourinho sanctioned Calafiori’s departure during his tenure at Roma – but the Portuguese tactician now views him as an ideal acquisition for Los Blancos.
Mourinho has already secured agreements for Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate. Konate is set to arrive on a free transfer while Dumfries carries a £20m release clause – and now Mourinho is pursuing another defensive reinforcement.
Calafiori was on Roma’s books under Mourinho when the Italian outfit offloaded him to Basel for a mere £1.5m in 2022, before Arsenal swooped for him in a £42m transfer two years later.
The Italy international has become a well-liked figure within the Arsenal dressing room and has recently celebrated the club’s first championship triumph in 22 years.
However, Calafiori has also attracted external attention and Real Madrid may attempt to gauge Arsenal’s willingness to negotiate during this window.
The versatile defender – capable of operating at left-back or centre-half – is also a mainstay in the Italy setup but was absent from the World Cup.
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Arsenal possess considerable depth in that area with Piero Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly, and it was Calafiori who missed out on selection for the Champions League final, albeit while managing a fitness concern.
Mourinho’s second spell at Real Madrid awaits official confirmation, though he has penned a three-year deal to rejoin the Spanish powerhouse.
The announcement is anticipated to follow this weekend’s presidential election at Real Madrid. Current president Florentino Perez faces an uncommon challenge to his position, going head-to-head with rival candidate Enrique Riquelme.
The vote takes place on Sunday (June 7), with Perez hinting that he’ll unveil the club’s opening summer acquisition on Thursday.
“This Thursday I’ll announce my first big signing for next season,” Perez told El Espanyol. “Everyone knows my sporting project: having the best players, and carrying on winning.”
As for Mourinho’s return, he added: “Soon I’ll announce who Real Madrid’s new coach will be, we’ll have more names before Sunday, don’t worry.”
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