Tony Mogan
Published June 3, 2026 7:29pm
Updated June 3, 2026 7:53pm
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Mourinho is set to return to Real after 13 years away (Picture: Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has reportedly included Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori on his list of summer transfer targets for Real Madrid.
‘The Special One’ has signed a contract to make a sensational return to the Santiago Bernabeu 13 years on from his first spell in charge and is expected to be officially unveiled after the club’s presidential elections this weekend.
He will be tasked with leading them out of the chaos that engulfed their 2025-26 season. A second trophyless campaign in a row was marred by dressing room altercations, disciplinary issues and squad division with a poll calling for Kylian Mbappe to leave the club signed by millions worldwide.
Already work is underway to improve the squad with Real agreeing a verbal deal to sign Ibrahima Konate whose contract with Liverpool will expire at the end of the month.
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Los Blancos are also believed to have secured a move for Denzel Dumfries with Mourinho said to have already approved both deals.
There is expected to be plenty more changes within the squad with Spanish journalist and broadcaster Ramon Alvarez de Mon reporting the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss has asked for Real to sign Calafiori next.
Fabrizio Romano added there has been contact between Real and Calafiori’s representatives in recent weeks. The Spanish giants are looking to recruit a player who can offer a solution at both centre-half and left-back with the Italian fitting the bill.
Calafiori helped Arsenal seal their first title in 22 years (Picture: Getty)
Calafiori, who joined Arsenal from Bologna for £42million two years ago, is Mikel Arteta’s first-choice left-back with Piero Hincapie also battling for that spot.
When fit, Calafiori has more often than not been preferred to the Ecuadorian, helping the Gunners clinch a first Premier League title in 22 years.
The versatile defender came through Roma’s academy, briefly crossing paths with Mourinho during his spell in charge of the Giallorossi.
‘With him [Mourinho], I also started quite well,’ Calafiori said in 2024.
Calafiori joined the Gunners in 2024 (Picture: Getty)
‘Then there was the match against Bodo, in which we lost 6-1. From there, things went downhill. He sent me to the bench and decided to rely on others, but my need and desire were to play.
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‘It was his choice, of course, but I’ll also tell you something. Mou and I talk; he wrote me several messages, and there’s a nice relationship between us.’
Calafiori was loaned out to Genoa after two more appearances.
In addition to naming players he would like in the Spanish capital, Mourinho has also reportedly compiled a list of players he will not be relying on next season.
That list includes Raúl Asencio, Fran García, Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga, Franco Mastantuono, and Rodrygo.
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