Jose Mourinho adds 24-year-old versatile Portuguese defender to Real Madrid wishlist | OneFootball

Real Madrid may have already strengthened their defence this summer, but their recruitment plans appear far from complete.

According to journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon, Benfica defender Tomas Araujo is among the names that Jose Mourinho has personally recommended to the Real Madrid hierarchy as the club continues to assess options for another defensive addition.

While no concrete move has been made at this stage, the Portuguese defender has entered internal discussions as Mourinho pushes for further reinforcements at the back.

It is known that despite the recent arrival of Ibrahima Konate and the decision to extend Antonio Rudiger’s stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid are still looking for defensive reinforcements.

Mourinho wants another elite defender

Notably, Konate’s arrival was expected to provide an immediate boost to the back line, while Rudiger’s contract extension ensured the club retained one of its most experienced defenders. 

Mourinho has shortlisted Tomas Araujo. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Even so, Mourinho believes another top-level centre-back is required before the transfer window closes.

On that note, the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Josko Gvardiol have both featured prominently in transfer discussions, and Araujo is now the latest defender to emerge as a possible candidate.

For the moment, however, Real Madrid’s interest remains at the evaluation stage rather than active negotiations.

Why is Araujo attracting attention?

At 24 years old, Araujo combines strong defensive qualities with impressive consistency, making him an attractive option for clubs seeking long-term solutions.

One of the biggest factors working in his favour is his availability. 

Tomas Araujo has a contract with Benfica until 2029. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Last season, under Mourinho himself, he featured in 39 matches across all competitions for Benfica, accumulating more than 2,700 minutes of football while contributing one goal and two assists.

Furthermore, his versatility also increases his appeal. Although naturally a centre-back, Araujo is capable of operating at right-back when required, offering tactical flexibility that Mourinho has often valued throughout his managerial career.

The defender is currently contracted to Benfica until 2029, meaning any potential transfer would require negotiations with a club that holds a strong position.

Simply put, even if Araujo is not currently the most glamorous name linked with Real Madrid, the profile fits what the club may be looking for.