Jose Mourinho demands a major centre-back signing at Real Madrid – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s incoming manager, Jose Mourinho, has wasted no time in laying down his law for the upcoming campaign.

His return to the Santiago Bernabeu has not yet been made official, but everything indicates that it will be soon, with the 63-year-old having already signed his contract with the club.

Now, according to Onda Cero (h/t Madrid Xtra), the Portuguese tactician has formally submitted a specific transfer directive to the club’s hierarchy: the board must secure a “major” centre-back to anchor a completely rebuilt defence.

The defensive crisis and Mourinho’s request

Mourinho has identified the heart of the defence as the squad’s most critical weakness and has made an elite recruitment package a non-negotiable condition of his tenure.

Mourinho wants a new defender at Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)

The urgent demand for a defensive heavyweight stems from a deepening personnel crisis in the Spanish capital. With David Alaba departing the club on a free transfer, the squad is losing a massive amount of leadership and experience.

Furthermore, there are concerns regarding the reliability of the remaining central options.

Antonio Rudiger is currently facing the natural physical decline that comes with advancing age, while Eder Militao continues to struggle with incessant injury issues that have plagued his consistency over recent seasons.

To prevent the defensive structure from collapsing entirely, Mourinho is demanding an immediate injection of world-class quality.

Potential targets to anchor the backline

To resolve this crisis, the manager has requested the signing of a marquee centre-back, capable of handling the immense pressure of the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bastoni is rated highly by Mourinho. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

As previously reported, at the absolute top of Mourinho’s list is Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni. The Portuguese views the Italian international as the ideal leader for his new project, and has already held personal talks to sell him on the project.

Should a move for the Italian stall, Real Madrid are also closely monitoring Liverpool’s powerhouse defender Ibrahima Konate, who appears set to leave as a free agent.

The Frenchman’s immense physicality, recovery pace, and proven experience at the highest level of European football make him an incredibly attractive alternative.