Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
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According to MARCA, RM Castilla starlet Oscar Naasei trained under Jose Mourinho during Real Madrid’s second session of the week and has emerged as a potential option to be included in the squad to face Villarreal this weekend.
Real Madrid’s problems at centre-back ahead of the return to competitive action after international break have created a headache for the manager.
Dean Huijsen is suspended for the game following his red card against Atletico Madrid, while Raul Asencio is injured. Ibrahima Konate picked up a knock with France, although, he has resumed training, while Eder Militao is still working towards full match fitness.
Naasei enters Mourinho’s plans
Beyond Konate’s recovery and the possibility of using Aurelien Tchouaméni alongside Antonio Rudiger, Mourinho needs further cover in central defence.
That reinforcement is likely to come from Castilla, with Naasei now entering the manager’s plans alongside Mario Rivas and Joan Martinez.
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The 21-year-old defender joined Castilla from Granada during the summer and has made an immediate impact in the reserve side.
He has become a key defensive figure for Julian López de Lerma, featuring in all six of Castilla’s matches and starting five of them.
Naasei was one of the standout performers in last Friday’s reserve-team derby against Atletico at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
Mourinho was present for the match and seems to have taken note of the defender’s performance.
Naasei played 37 matches in the Segunda Division with Granada last season and is now valued at €2 million – a figure is already higher than the fee Real Madrid paid for him.
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The defender is regarded as an important long-term investment for the club, and involvement with the first team represents the next step in his development.
This is not the first time Naasei has trained with Mourinho, but the current defensive situation gives this session added significance.
With several senior defenders unavailable or not fully fit, he could now be one of the new faces included in the squad against Villarreal.
Castilla travel to Ibiza on Friday, meaning Lopez de Lerma’s squad selection and starting XI could provide important clues about Mourinho’s plans.
Alex Scott of AFC Bournemouth
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Although the season has only just begun, Real Madrid have already started surveying the market for potential reinforcements for the future transfer windows.
One of the main issues that needs addressing is the midfield position, where the club tried and failed to sign Rodri this past summer.
As such, the search for a new midfielder already appears to be underway, with the Merengues looking for a player who can bring greater control and creativity in the middle.
At the same time, the Spanish capital club would prioritise signing a young player who can become a long-term solution in the position.
Alex Scott on the radars
With that in mind, Alex Scott of AFC Bournemouth has emerged as one of the names on Real Madrid’s list.
Alex Scott of AFC Bournemouth
Real Madrid scouting Alex Scott. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Indeed, according to Alex Crook of talkSPORT, Real Madrid are monitoring his progress closely and have already scouted him.
The 23-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of Premier League’s exciting young midfield talents and recently made his debut for the England national team.
Scott primarily operates as a central midfielder, while also being capable of operating in a more advanced role or out wide.
However, Real Madrid are not the only club keeping an eye on Scott, as Premier League heavy spenders Chelsea are also big admirers.
The Blues already had a £64 million bid rejected by Bournemouth this past summer and are expected to return with a new and improved offer for the Englishman next year.
Alex Scott of England
Alex Scott recently made his England debut. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Bournemouth, for their part, have no intention of selling Scott in January, but they could be forced to part ways with the 23-year-old next summer.
After all, Scott’s current contract runs until 2028 and he has, so far, refused to negotiate and sign an extension.
It means the summer of 2027 would represent the Cherries’ final major opportunity to secure a substantial transfer fee for the midfielder before his contract enters its final year.
For Real Madrid, that could make next year an important moment to decide whether to step up their interest in one of the Premier League’s emerging midfielders.