Jose Mourinho demands two more defensive signings at Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has told Florentino Perez that Real Madrid need two more elite defensive signings this summer. He wants an additional centre back and a left‑back beyond the arrivals of Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries. Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries have already closed agreements with Real Madrid, but Mourinho says the pair does not solve the defensive problem. He doubts the in‑house options and has ruled out Alvaro Carreras, Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia as preferred choices for the left‑back role.

Sami Khedira favoriet als assistent van Mourinho bij Real Madrid

Mourinho’s scouting list includes Premier League centre‑back Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City and Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori. Both moves are expected to be complex. He also signals that at least one left‑back will have to leave, as four players cannot compete for a single spot. Photo by Carl Recine. Photo by Alex Pantling.