Jose Mourinho 'convinces' Barcelona's top transfer target to join Real Madrid instead
Jose Mourinho has reportedly convinced one of Barcelona's key transfer targets to join Real Madrid instead ahead of his expected appointment as manager.
It has been claimed that the Portuguese boss has already signed a two-year contract to become Real manager and return to the club he previously coached between 2010 and 2013.
But Real's presidential election is taking place on June 7, with businessman Enrique Riquelme challenging incumbent Florentino Perez.
TNT Sports report that appointing a new manager during the election process is 'considered highly risky and bad practice', which is delaying Mourinho's arrival.
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As of now, he is still in charge of Portuguese giants Benfica, but is already planning his first moves as Real manager.
Real Madrid first transfer under Mourinho decided
Spanish outlet El Debate report that one of Mourinho's main priorities is to sign a new centre-back, with David Alaba leaving as a free agent this summer.
Real have Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio and Eder Militao as their main centre-back options, but Militao has experienced a number of injury issues and Asencio's performances were not particularly reliable last season.
Rudiger, meanwhile, is 33 and played through injury issues during the 2024/25 campaign, which could affect his level of availability moving forwards.
He is out of contract next month but, as per The Athletic, has agreed to a one-year extension.
Mourinho is said to have 'requested two centre-backs' and is working with super-agent Jorge Mendes to identify key targets.
It is claimed that he has 'personally convinced' Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni to become his first signing, despite interest from Barcelona.
Bastoni is said to be 'angry' with Barca after the club 'said they would try to sign him and then abandoned him'.
Mourinho 'genuinely wants' the 27-year-old centre-back, who is available for around €75 million.
Inter's negotiating position is strengthened by the fact that they won Serie A under new manager Cristian Chivu and will therefore play Champions League football next season.
But Real could include a player moving in the other direction as part of a deal for Bastoni, who is believed to be interested in quitting Serie A and moving to Spain.
But Inter president Giuseppe Marotta recently told DAZN that he wants to keep the Italy international centre-back, who won't play at the World Cup this summer as Azzurri failed to qualify for the third consecutive time.
"We're not sellers on principle," he said. "If a player leaves, it's because he's also expressed his desire to leave.
"Bastoni has absolutely not expressed his desire to leave. He's happy to stay here with us, so we don't need to sell him. I
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Transfer News
Ryan Smart