Jose Mourinho greenlights Real Madrid pursuit of Gvardiol, Calafiori
Jose Mourinho gave the green light for Real Madrid to pursue Josko Gvardiol or Riccardo Calafiori. He wants a left‑back who can also operate in a back three.
President Florentino Perez was re‑elected on Sunday night, allowing him to act on summer decisions. Perez announced Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries as the first two signings and promised a €150 million bid for a Galactico player this week. He will also meet Mourinho’s input, with Real Madrid set to meet Mourinho’s €15 million release clause.
Riccardo Calafiori arrived at Arsenal last summer and is not guaranteed a starter. Josko Gvardiol is currently in talks with Manchester City over a new contract and has been offered to Real Madrid in recent weeks. Mourinho’s priority is a physically imposing left‑back who can drop into a three‑man defence.
Benfica chase former Real Madrid star as Madrid eye €10m boost
Ferland Mendy has been injury‑prone and has not held the left‑back spot consistently. Fran Garcia has rarely been trusted as a starter, while Alvaro Carreras, after a €50 million move from Benfica, appears the most likely to remain. Mourinho is also looking for at least one more defender and an additional midfielder, with the backline as the primary area to address this summer. The decisions will shape Real Madrid’s squad ahead of the new campaign.