Jose Mourinho, head coach of Real Madrid
Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images
Having already made most of the signings they require for the upcoming season, Real Madrid are now focused on departures in the second half of the transfer window.
There are, however, certain positions regarding which the club are alert on the transfer market, looking for a potential signing that can improve the squad.
The midfield, on that front, remains a priority after Rodri’s decision to join Barcelona. After all, it has been known for a long time now that Los Blancos lack a controlling and creative presence in the middle of the park.
As conveyed by Diario AS in a recent report, Real Madrid are currently not convinced by any option available on the transfer market. They do not see a single profile available that would genuinely improve the team.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho has faith in his troops (Picture credit: X/@realmadrid)
The club have not closed the door to a new signing, but they continue to watch the market in silence without any desperation for a transfer.
The management and administration are certain that the current midfield will be competitive and that a signing is not absolutely required. If a suitable profile pops up, they will go for the kill.
While Los Blancos are indeed of the opinion that there is no profile that can improve the squad, they have maintained a couple of options on their radar.
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace
Real Madrid are monitoring Adam Wharton. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
The three players they are monitoring on that front are Kees Smit, Adam Wharton and Ayyoub Bouaddi, although none of the options appears conducive at this point.
While Bouaddi is nearing a move to Manchester City, Wharton’s price tag is a serious deterrent given how much Real Madrid have spent this summer. Smit, meanwhile, lacks the required experience and is not as seasoned an option.
It thus remains to be seen what Real Madrid decide in the coming weeks regarding the midfield, and it will heavily depend on what Jose Mourinho sees in preseason.
Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Amid all the uncertainties around Real Madrid’s midfield in recent weeks, one player whose future was called into question was Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Frenchman has been a mainstay in Los Blancos’ midfield for a few years now, but Jose Mourinho’s demand for a new defensive midfielder and the club’s links with a big-money move for Rodri threw his future into a grey area.
After all, Manchester United have been interested in the Frenchman for a long time, and he was considered an asset who can generate significant revenue should the club require it.
As clarified by Fabrizio Romano earlier today, however, Tchouameni’s future is now clear beyond doubt, and Real Madrid have decided that he will stay.
Jose Mourinho, head coach of Real Madrid
Mourinho counts on Tchouameni. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Despite all the rumours doing the rounds, the Frenchman will be a Real Madrid player next season and his contract renewal has already been signed.
Jose Mourinho heavily counts on the player for the upcoming season, and Tchouameni will play a leading role in Real Madrid’s midfield as the only pure defensive midfielder in the squad. He will be an important player under Mourinho.
While Tchouameni remains a strong contender to be a regular starter for Real Madrid, there is an overall sense of uncertainty around how Jose Mourinho will line up his midfield troops this season.
After all, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham have been de facto starters alongside Tchouameni in recent years, but Bernardo Silva’s arrival means that one of the players could be dropped from the starting lineup.
Mourinho holds Bernardo Silva in high regard. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
If recent reports are to be believed, Mourinho wishes to build his midfield around Silva with the Portuguese star playing as a deep-lying midfielder.
In that sense, he could replace one of Tchouameni or Valverde in the XI at a time when dropping neither player is easy.
With Tchouameni set to return to training this week, there will thus be focus on the player’s adaptation to Jose Mourinho’s preseason and dynamics.
After all, he did not have a memorable World Cup and has a lot to improve if he is to push to be the de facto starter.