Jose Mourinho ‘talks’ Barcelona’s main transfer target into joining Real Madrid instead
Jose Mourinho is said to have convinced one of Barcelona’s top transfer targets to join Real Madrid instead, as he prepares to become their new manager. The Portuguese coach is reported to have already signed a two-year deal to return to Real Madrid, where he previously managed from 2010 to 2013.
However, Real Madrid’s presidential election is set for June 7, with businessman Enrique Riquelme challenging current president Florentino Perez. According to TNT Sports, hiring a new manager during the election is seen as risky and bad timing, which is delaying Mourinho’s official arrival.
For now, Mourinho remains in charge of Benfica but is already planning his first moves at Real. Spanish news outlet El Debate says one of his top priorities is signing a new centre-back since David Alaba is leaving on a free transfer this summer.
Real currently have Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, and Eder Militao as their main centre-back options. However, Militao has had injury problems, and Asencio wasn’t very consistent last season. Rudiger, who is 33, played through injuries in 2024/25 and might not always be available. He’s out of contract soon but, according to The Athletic, has agreed to a one-year extension.
Mourinho is reportedly asked for two new centre-backs and is working with super-agent Jorge Mendes to find the right players. It’s claimed he has personally convinced Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni to be his first signing, despite interest from Barcelona. Bastoni is said to be upset with Barca because they promised to try signing him but then gave up.
Mourinho really wants the 27-year-old defender, who could cost around €75 million. Inter’s position is strong since they just won Serie A under new coach Cristian Chivu and will be in the Champions League next season. Real might also offer a player to Inter as part of the deal since Bastoni wants to leave Italy and play in Spain.
Still, Inter president Giuseppe Marotta recently told DAZN they want to keep Bastoni. The Italian defender won’t be at the World Cup this summer since Italy didn’t qualify for the third time in a row. Marotta said, “We’re not sellers by principle. If a player leaves, it’s because he wants to. Bastoni has made no wish to leave. He’s happy here, so we don’t need to sell him.”