Jose Mourinho has returned to the Bernabeu and Real Madrid, judging by their activity in the summer transfer window, mean business ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Spanish giants suffered a rare trophyless season last term, with Xabi Alonso and his replacement Alvaro Arbeloa both struggling to get the best out of the club’s star-studded squad.
A season without silverware is an unmitigated disaster for Real Madrid, the 15-time European champions, and the club’s president Florentino Perez was always going to do everything in his power to get the team back to winning ways.
His first move was to contact Mourinho, the legendary Portuguese coach who’s back for his second spell in the Spanish capital after previously leading the club between 2010-2013.
The 63-year-old will be desperate to prove that his best days aren’t behind him after slightly underwhelming spells with Manchester United, Tottenham, AS Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica since leaving Chelsea in 2015.
But in order to compete with Barcelona domestically, and the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Mourinho requires a squad that’s capable of challenging on multiple fronts - and that’s precisely what Perez is providing.
Several players have already departed, including David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Dani Carvajal.
And a handful of top players have arrived, including Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries.
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Real Madrid's Potential 2026-27 Starting Line-Up
Jude BellinghamREUTERS/Kacper Pempel
Real Madrid aren’t finished yet. More top players are expected to arrive before the transfer window closes. Let’s take a closer look at their frightening potential starting line-up:
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Antonio Rudiger, Marc Cucurella
Thibaut Courtois turned 34 in May but the Belgium international is still the world’s best goalkeeper. The 6ft 7in shot-stopper has been worth his weight in gold for Los Blancos since joining the club in 2018.
Real Madrid have strengthened their full-back positions with the acquisitions of Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella from Inter Milan and Chelsea, respectively. Mourinho is likely to prefer Dumfries over Trent Alexander-Arnold as his first-choice right-back, but the Englishman will still get plenty of minutes over the course of the season.
Ibrahima Konate is a shrewd purchase after the France international left Liverpool, while Antonio Rudiger will compete with Dean Huijsen for the other centre-back spot.
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Midfielders
Rodri, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham
If Real Madrid successfully prise Rodri, the 2026 World Cup’s best player and now strong contender for the Ballon d’Or award, away from Manchester City then they will boast a formidable three-man midfield.
Federico Valverde was outstanding last season and will retain his place in midfield as the team’s captain. The arrival of Rodri would free up Jude Bellingham, magnificent for England in North America this summer, to fly forward and cause far more damage than he did last season.
Forwards
Yan Diomande, Kylian Mbappe, Vini Jr
Real Madrid have won the battle for Yan Diomande’s signature. The Ivory Coast international, 19, is one of the most exciting young talents in world football and will compete with the likes of Arda Guler, Endrick and new signing Bernardo Silva, who can also play in midfield, for a spot on the right wing.
Vinicius Jr is being strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, but the Brazilian’s preference is to remain at the Bernabeu, according to reports in Spain.
And then there’s Kylian Mbappe, the 2026 Golden Boot winner and arguably the best player on the planet. With a stronger team behind him, who knows how many goals the prolific Frenchman will finish the 2026-27 season with.
Substitutes: Andriy Lunin; Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnnold, Alvaro Carreras; Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler; Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, Gonzalo Garcia, Franco Mastantuono.