Jose Mourinho is set to be named as Real Madrid manager for the second time next week, with the Portuguese already compiling a list of players he wants to work with. Among his targets is Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Mourinho's Bold Move for Calafiori
Real Madrid boss Mourinho has targeted the Arsenal defender as part of his rebuild at the Bernabeu. It is a bold move especially as Mourinho sold Calafiori when he was in charge at Roma - but now believes he would be a great signing for Real Madrid.
Mourinho has already agreed deals for Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries and also Ibrahima Konate, who is set to leave Liverpool. Konate is poised to join on a free transfer while Dumfries has a £20m buy-out - and now Mourinho wants to bring in another defender.
Calafiori was at Roma with Mourinho when the Italian club sold him to Basel for just £1.5m in 2022 and two years later he went to Arsenal in a £42m deal.
Calafiori's Rise at Arsenal
Italy international Calafiori is a hugely popular member of the Arsenal squad and has just celebrated winning the club's first title in 22 years. But Calafiori has also struggled with interest and Real Madrid may see if they can test Arsenal's resolve in this window. The stylish defender - who can play left back or centre half - is also a regular with Italy but missed the World Cup.
Arsenal are well stocked in that department with Piero Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly and it was Calafiori who was the odd man out for the Champions League final, although he was carrying an injury.
Mourinho's Return to Real Madrid
Mourinho's second stint at Real has yet to be officially confirmed, although he has signed a three-year contract to return to the Spanish giants. It is expected he will be formally announced following the conclusion of this weekend's election to decide Real Madrid's President. Incumbent Florentino Perez finds himself in the unusual position of being a part of a contested election, facing off against Enrique Riquelme.
Voters will make their decision on Sunday (June 7) with Perez teasing that he will announce the club's first summer transfer 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."
