Real Madrid halt exits for Endrick and Arda while seeking a holding midfielder and left-footed centre-back | OneFootball

Real Madrid have paused potential exits for Endrick and Arda Guler, while Mourinho still wants a defensive midfielder and a left-footed centre-back while trimming numbers.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Madrid held their first full session since the arrivals of Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, Kylian Mbappé and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, Yan Diomande and Carlos Espí also integrated.

Mourinho is pushing for a short squad of about 20 players and has flagged injuries to Militao, Mendy and Rodrygo that will keep them out for weeks.

Eduardo Camavinga is on the market but reluctant to go. Endrick, praised by Mourinho for his latest outing, had eyed a Premier League loan after Espí’s arrival, yet the club have cooled that move on the coach’s instruction amid competition from Vinícius, Bellingham and Espí.

Arda Guler’s future is also in play after a reported Paris Saint-Germain offer of around 115 million and interest from Luis Enrique. Madrid do not plan to sell, but a higher bid could prompt a rethink with Bernardo Silva and Jude Bellingham blocking his route.

After Rodri’s snub, Mourinho highlighted the need for versatility, noting Bernardo Silva can operate as a six, eight or 10, and he pushed Silva higher during a game when energy dipped.

Martín Zubimendi, valued around 80 million, is one option, with Manuel Locatelli, Kees Smit and Adam Wharton also discussed, though none fully convince. Mourinho had initially proposed Morten Hjulmand, since bought by Atlético from Sporting de Portugal for 40 million.

At centre-back, Bastoni remains the preferred left-footer. Jorge Mendes is working on an exit for Raúl Asencio to free the slot Mourinho wants.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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