Jose Mourinho reportedly sets out six transfer priorities for Real Madrid return

Who, what, when and why it matters: Jose Mourinho is widely reported to be the frontrunner to return to Real Madrid and has already outlined six positional transfer demands for his first season back at the Bernabeu, according to World Soccer Talk summarising Diario AS. The process has been placed on hold while Real Madrid prepares for presidential elections, but the reported shopping list — focused on defensive and midfield reinforcements — gives an early view of how Mourinho would approach rebuilding the squad.

Why it matters

If Mourinho does become Real Madrid manager again, his demands would shape the club's summer transfer strategy and budget priorities. The report says Mourinho wants one or two centre-backs, one or two full-backs, a defensive midfielder and a creative midfielder — with the two midfield roles deemed most urgent. That emphasis matters because Real Madrid have recently lost long-term midfield figures and defenders, creating clear gaps in the squad depth described in the report.

The six positional requests Mourinho reportedly outlined

According to the report summarised by World Soccer Talk from Diario AS, Mourinho's assessment prioritises roles rather than specific names. The six areas reportedly requested are:

• One or two centre-backs
• One or two full-backs
• One defensive midfielder
• One creative midfielder

The report highlights the defensive midfielder and the creative midfielder as the most urgent signings. Aurelien Tchouameni is noted as the only natural holding midfielder currently in the squad, while the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have been presented as factors increasing the need for a creative midfield profile.

Why the club faces a rebuild, per the report

World Soccer Talk's summary of AS says several departures and uncertain futures have opened places across the squad. Named exits or departures that feed into Mourinho's assessment include Toni Kroos and Luka Modric leaving the club, plus the departures of David Alaba and Dani Carvajal creating defensive gaps. The futures of Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and Fran García are described as unresolved, which could further expand the list of positions needing reinforcement.

Complication: Mourinho's current contract and presidential elections

The appointment process has been paused after Real Madrid announced presidential elections, which a World Soccer Talk summary says has temporarily stalled momentum. Separately, Mourinho remains under contract at Benfica and the report says his release clause and compensation situation would need resolving. Diario AS is reported to have stated that a previously set €7 million release clause expired on May 26 and, as a consequence, compensation to secure Mourinho would now be €15 million — the figure reported as equivalent to his gross salary at Benfica — though that amount could be subject to negotiation.

No official confirmations: The story relies on media reporting. The World Soccer Talk piece relays information from Diario AS and notes political elements in the Real Madrid election campaign — for example, a candidate’s pledge to sign a Spanish World Cup player — that have introduced uncertainty. There is no direct quote or official statement from Real Madrid, Benfica or Mourinho provided in the supplied source metadata.

Context: squad areas cited as secure or weak

Per the supplied report, Mourinho believes the squad needs rebuilding in nearly every outfield area except goal and attack. That assessment is framed around departures and unresolved player futures rather than confirmed transfer targets, with the manager reportedly focusing on positions and profiles — particularly a holding midfielder and a creative midfielder — rather than naming individuals.

Key points

• Mourinho is reported to be the frontrunner to return to Real Madrid, but the appointment is on hold due to presidential elections.
• He has reportedly outlined six transfer priorities: centre-backs (1–2), full-backs (1–2), a defensive midfielder and a creative midfielder.
• The defensive and creative midfield roles are said to be the most urgent.
• Departures mentioned in the report include Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal; other player futures (Ceballos, Camavinga, Fran García) are described as unresolved.
• Mourinho remains under contract at Benfica; Diario AS is reported to say a €7m clause expired and compensation to hire him could be €15m.

What happens next

According to the supplied report, the next steps depend on the outcome of Real Madrid's presidential election and negotiations to resolve Mourinho's Benfica contract. Any formal appointment, official list of transfer targets, or club confirmation of budgets and signings would need to come from Real Madrid, Benfica or Mourinho; those details are not present in the supplied source metadata and should be confirmed before publication.