Mourinho’s Madrid: €100m rebuild targets new defenders and midfielders

Real Madrid have spent more than €100 million this summer as Jose Mourinho orchestrates a sweeping squad overhaul. The 63-year-old manager, who left the club 13 years ago, has returned to a side that has not won a major trophy in two seasons.

Planning for the new project began in early May. Mourinho’s tactical blueprint centres on a 4-2-3-1 system, which has shaped every recruitment decision. The rebuild addresses a critical vulnerability: an ageing defence that lost two pillars simultaneously.

Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, both 34 years old, departed without offers of contract extensions. That exit opened a window for fresh blood. Marc Cucurella is arriving from Chelsea in a deal worth up to €60 million. The 27-year-old left-back will compete with Ferland Mendy, 31, who is sidelined with a thigh injury until November.

On the right flank, Denzel Dumfries—30 years old—is available via his €20 million release clause at Inter. At centre-back, Ibrahima Konate signed as a free agent after not renewing his contract with Liverpool. Madrid also secured Bernardo Silva on the same terms from Manchester City.

The defence still carries established names. Thibaut Courtois, 34, extended his contract until 2027 after joining in 2018. Andriy Lunin, 27, provides backup with a deal running until 2030. Raul Asencio, 23, renewed through 2031 last year and remains part of the long-term plan.

Left-back recruitment remains fluid. Alvaro Carreras, signed from Benfica for €50 million a year ago, is 23. Fran Garcia, 26, has attracted interest from Real Betis after Madrid blocked a January move to Bournemouth.

Midfield ambitions show mixed signals. Enzo Fernandez, the 25-year-old Chelsea midfielder and Argentina international, prefers Madrid—but Chelsea expect around £120 million. Mateus Fernandes, 21, a Portugal midfielder at West Ham, faces competition from Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham.

Younger prospects populate the wish list. Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, is a Morocco international at Lille—who qualified for next season’s Champions League and would demand around €80 million. Kees Smit, 20, at AZ, carries a €60 million asking price.

Madrid hold a €9 million buyback option on Nico Paz, a 20-year-old Argentina midfielder at Como, with a deadline of June 30. Como have qualified for the Champions League, and Paz is contracted until 2028.

Dani Ceballos, 29, wants to leave on a free transfer—his contract expires in 2027—marking the third summer both he and Madrid have explored a move. Aurelien Tchouameni, 26, had a dressing-room fight with Federico Valverde in May, though Valverde is not on the market and does not want to leave. Eduardo Camavinga, 23, remains in the squad.

In attack, Mourinho sees Jude Bellingham, an England international, as a key player in the No 10 role within his 4-2-3-1 formation. Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are assured of their places. Mbappe scored four goals in two matches at the World Cup but ended the season to a chorus of boos from the Santiago Bernabeu crowd. Rodrygo is out with a knee injury, potentially until next year.

Vinicius Junior’s contract expires in 2027. Madrid and his agents began renewal talks in January 2025, but no agreement has been reached. Brahim Diaz, a Morocco international, wants to stay.

Younger attacking talent includes Franco Mastantuono, signed from River Plate for €63.2 million last summer, and Gonzalo Garcia, 22. Brazil forward Endrick completed a half-season loan at Lyon over 2025-26; Madrid decided months ago he would stay for next term.

Florentino Perez, 79, has backed Mourinho’s vision with significant spending. Madrid paid a €15 million release clause to bring Mourinho in. The question now is whether fresh faces and familiar experience can end two years without a major trophy.