Jose Mourinho has already identified his first signing for Real Madrid – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid could be preparing one of the biggest transfer moves of the summer, with reports suggesting incoming manager Jose Mourinho has identified Rodri as his dream signing to rebuild the midfield.

According to Defensa Central, Mourinho is already heavily involved in planning for next season despite not yet being officially announced by the club. 

It must be noted that the Portuguese’s return to Santiago Bernabeu is very close and he has even begun speaking with players from the current squad that is still working under Alvaro Arbeloa.

Mourinho wants Rodri

The report claims that Mourinho is personally pushing Real Madrid’s hierarchy to attempt a move for the Manchester City midfielder, whom he views as the ideal player to restore balance and control to the team.

Notably, Rodri is not a new player to be mentioned within Real Madrid, who have monitored the Spanish international for a long time, with many inside the club believing his profile perfectly fits what the midfield currently lacks.

One factor making the situation interesting is Rodri’s contract situation at Manchester City. 

Real Madrid have monitored Rodri in the past. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

The midfielder’s current deal expires in 2027, meaning the Premier League side could soon face an important decision regarding his future.

If Rodri does not agree to renew his contract soon, City may eventually need to consider selling him before his value begins to decrease significantly.

As such, what is working in Real Madrid’s favour is that the player himself may be open to the possibility of returning to Spain.

Real Madrid remain cautious

Despite Mourinho’s clear admiration for the midfielder, Real Madrid’s sporting department is still carefully evaluating whether such an operation makes complete sense financially and physically.

There is no doubt within the club about Rodri’s footballing quality, but concerns do exist regarding his recent injury history and age profile.

Mourinho wants to sign Rodri. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Spanish international is approaching 30, and recurring physical problems have raised some doubts among decision-makers at the Bernabeu. 

Real Madrid are currently trying to build a squad capable of dominating for many years, which means long-term planning remains extremely important.

What stands out most from these reports is how aggressively Mourinho already seems to be influencing Real Madrid’s future planning.

The Portuguese manager clearly believes the current squad requires structural changes, especially in midfield and defence. 

For now, though, the operation still appears complicated because Manchester City will fight hard to keep him and are already working on his renewal.