Real Madrid · UEFA Nations League · Defender · #20 · Spain · 26 yrs
While the upcoming presidential elections have temporarily stalled momentum, Jose Mourinho has reportedly outlined six transfer demands to finalize his return to Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho is widely reported to be the frontrunner to return to Real Madrid as Florentino Perez’s preferred choice to lead the club out of its end-of-season crisis. While his formal appointment has been put on hold by the announcement of presidential elections, reports have emerged that the Portuguese manager has already outlined six transfer demands for his first season back at the Bernabeu. The momentum behind Mourinho’s appointment hit a pause when Perez called for elections, with candidate Enrique Riquelme publicly committing to sign a Spanish player from the World Cup squad if elected. While that political dimension has introduced some uncertainty into the process, Mourinho is reportedly already analyzing the squad and identifying the areas that need reinforcing. According to Diario AS, Mourinho’s assessment of the current Real Madrid setup has led him to push for one or two center backs, one or two fullbacks, a defensive midfielder and a creative midfielder, with the emphasis placed on roles rather than specific names. While some positions are considered higher priority than others, these six areas are viewed as the structural foundation of the project Mourinho wants to build in Madrid. The Spanish outlet reports that the defensive midfielder and the creative midfielder are the two positions Mourinho considers most urgent. In the holding midfield role, Aurelien Tchouameni remains the only natural option in the squad, meaning a new signing would offer both depth and direct competition for the position. Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric of Real Madrid. The creative midfielder is arguably the bigger concern. Real Madrid have lacked that profile since the departure of Toni Kroos and now the exit of Luka Modric, leaving a void that has never been properly filled. AS reports that Mourinho is eager to bring in a player of the mold of Fredrik Aursnes, whom he managed at Benfica. On the defensive side, the departures of David Alaba and Dani Carvajal have created openings at center back and right back, while the futures of Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and Fran García remain unresolved. Should any or all of them leave, the list of positions requiring reinforcement would expand further across a squad Mourinho believes needs rebuilding in every line except goal and attack. Mourinho would force Real Madrid to spend €15 million before a single player is signed With the 2025-26 Portuguese season already concluded, Mourinho is expected to depart Benfica, though his contract running through June 2027 remains a complicating factor. Real Madrid will need to resolve that situation before any coaching appointment can be formalized, and the cost of doing so has already increased significantly. As reported by Diario AS, Mourinho’s release clause at Benfica was set at seven million euros but expired on May 26. With the process having stalled, the applicable compensation has now risen to 15 million euros, equivalent to the manager’s gross salary at Benfica, though that figure could be subject to negotiation in direct talks between the two clubs.
After establishing as one of the most well-rounded midfielders, Eduardo Camavinga seemed to be a sure bet for France. However, his form has dipped at Real Madrid, affecting his performance with the national team. As a result, he risks being left off Didier Deschamps’ 2026 World Cup roster. Eduardo Camavinga established as one of the best midfielders in the world, operating as a box-to-box player. In addition, he became a key figure for France thanks to his versatility and defensive reliability. However, he now appears to be at risk of losing his place in the 2026 World Cup squad, as head coach Didier Deschamps is reportedly unsure about calling him up due to his inconsistency at Real Madrid. According to Telefoot, head coach Didier Deschamps is not fully convinced about calling up Eduardo Camavinga for the 2026 World Cup roster. Not only has he failed to stand out at Real Madrid, but he also did not manage to impress during the March friendlies, even ending up on the bench in both matches. Despite this, the Frenchman remains optimistic, aiming to regain his best form during what remains of the season. Throughout the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, France chose to rely on Manu Koné, N’Golo Kanté, Adrien Rabiot, and even Aurélien Tchouaméni. While Deschamps tends to make numerous rotations, Camavinga has not been a player with much playing time. Despite this, Didier could still call him up due to his great versatility, being able to play as a left-back and in other positions, but he needs to regain consistency. Eduardo Camavinga is no longer an undroppable player for France, as Tchouaméni and Kanté dominate the defensive midfield role. Because of this, he now has to compete for a spot as an interior midfielder in the national team, where he faces serious disadvantages. Without being a playmaker or a midfielder who stands out for his imposing physicality, he risks being left out of the anticipated tournament. Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match. Eduardo Camavinga seems to have lost his place at Real Madrid Eduardo Camavinga emerged as a regular starter under Carlo Ancelotti, becoming Real Madrid’s starting defensive midfielder. With his defensive consistency and attacking ability, he was a key player for the team. However, the Frenchman now appears to be losing his place, as neither Xabi Alonso nor Álvaro Arbeloa have opted to start him, with him even being relegated in favor of Thiago Pitarch, recently promoted from the academy to the first team. While Arbeloa favors a fairly crowded midfield, Camavinga has become the last option in the rotation, only coming on for a few minutes without making much of an impact. In addition, the Frenchman has also not been used at left-back, as Álvaro Carreras, Fran García, and Ferland Mendy occupy the entire rotation in that position. With this in mind, he appears to be one of the players set to leave the club, as reinforcements are expected in the summer of 2026. After a disappointing season, Real Madrid are looking to make several adjustments, including a potential change in head coach, offering him a new opportunity. However, this depends on whether he manages to stand out in pre-season or the departure of another star. If he leaves, PSG and Liverpool are reportedly interested in pursuing his signing, which Los Blancos might view positively due to the number of players they already have with similar profiles.
