Alessandro Bastoni, Inter Milan player
Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho has been backed well by the board in the ongoing summer transfer window with the administration doing everything in their power to bring the players he demands home.
In that sense, the manager now has a revamped defence and a far more potent attack compared to last season, and virtually has no excuses to underperform in the upcoming season.
Two positions that he requested signings in, however, could not be completed by the board – the defensive midfield and that of a second starting-quality centre-back. While word has it that Real Madrid will not make any more signings, the manager is still pushing for the recruitments.
According to a recent update by reporter Miguel Serrano, Mourinho is insisting on Real Madrid signing a new left-footed centre-back this summer. He has already signed Ibrahima Konate for the defence but wants a second addition in the department.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho wants a left-footed centre-back. (Picture credit: X/@realmadrid)
On that front, he specifically stresses that Alessandro Bastoni would be the perfect signing for his system and thus continues to rally for the Inter Milan star’s arrival.
After all, he feels Bastoni will hand him a more secure defence and a more well-rounded team as a whole given his ball-playing and progression skills.
The financial aspect of transfers have usually never bothered Real Madrid who are known to splash the cash when and where required. This summer, however, there is a growing sense that they may have overspent, especially after Yan Diomande’s arrival.
Alessandro Bastoni, Inter Milan player
Signing Bastoni will be a costly affair. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
To sign Bastoni this summer, thus, will not be easy as the Italian side demand a big fee for the central defender. He has been associated with a price tag of €70 million – something that may be too costly for Real Madrid to accommodate this summer.
What may change the situation, however, is if Real Madrid manage to make a big sale in defence in the coming weeks.
Raul Asencio has been most closely associated with a departure, and the club can hope for the dream signing if they can make a good sum from Asencio’s departure. The player, however, is currently injured which makes a potential departure complicated.
Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid
Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website
From absolute uncertainty to an official announcement, the contract renewal saga of Vinicius Jr. changed in under 24 hours after just one meeting between Real Madrid’s administration and the player’s entourage.
What played a big role, needless to say, was Real Madrid presenting a new proposal with wages closer to what the player was demanding – a move that made Vinicius feel valued and enabled him to provide his green light.
That was, however, not the only factor that helped an agreement be reached. As reported by COPE (h/t Madrid Xtra), Real Madrid’s new manager Jose Mourinho also played a massive part.
Indeed, as reported by the Spanish outlet, Mourinho was absolutely key in the player’s renewal and directly intervened to ensure the player stayed.
Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Mourinho was key for the renewal. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Mourinho reportedly called Vinicius multiple times during the holidays to convince the player of his project and open his mind up to accepting Real Madrid’s offer. Further, the duo even spoke several times after training.
Mourinho and the player share a good relationship now despite all the debacles of last season’s UEFA Champions League. The manager made the winger feel loved, and that changed everything.
Just under a week ago, there was serious uncertainty about whether or not Vinicius would be a Real Madrid player next season, but it still always remained clear that both parties wanted to continue working together deep down.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid
Vinicius always wanted to stay. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
For all their differences on the financial terms, Vinicius has been a loved member of Real Madrid since he first arrived. To a large extent, he is the global icon he is today because of Real Madrid’s influence on his career.
In that sense, the player and club share an unbreakable bond, one that will now run until 2032. The long-term contract secures the player’s future and prime years to the Spanish capital.
Next season, the Brazilian will be part of a special trident alongside Kylian Mbappe and the new signing Yan Diomande, and it is safe to say that the trio will be terrifying on the break.
What Vinicius personally will look to do, however, is improve his chemistry with Mbappe which was surprisingly poor last season.