Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Mourinho's Dream Midfield: Real Madrid Set Sights on PSG's Neves and Vitinha

June 5, 2026
Mourinho's Dream Midfield: Real Madrid Set Sights on PSG's Neves and Vitinha
Mourinho's Dream Midfield: Real Madrid Set Sights on PSG's Neves and Vitinha

Jose Mourinho's arrival at Real Madrid could trigger an ambitious recruitment drive, with the Portuguese tactician reportedly keen on reuniting with fellow countrymen from Paris Saint-Germain.

Should Florentino Perez secure victory in this weekend's presidential elections, Mourinho will return to the Bernabéu for his second spell in charge. The manager previously led Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, collecting three major honours including a LaLiga title during that period.

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, both Mourinho and Perez have identified PSG's Joao Neves and Vitinha as priority targets. The pair have been instrumental in the French capital's back-to-back Champions League triumphs, with Vitinha arriving from Porto in summer 2022 for €40m and Neves joining from Benfica in 2024 for €60m.

However, there's a significant obstacle to any potential deal. PSG have made clear they will not entertain offers for either midfielder, instead planning to retain their core squad and add selectively. The club's ambition remains a historic third consecutive Champions League title, with only fringe players like Goncalo Ramos, Chevalier, and Kang-in Lee potentially available for exit.

Real Madrid have already bolstered their squad with the arrivals of Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries in preparation for Mourinho's appointment.

Perez's €150m Masterplan

Meanwhile, Perez has indicated plans to make a record-breaking offer next Tuesday for an unnamed elite talent. The Madrid president initially refused to confirm the target, despite ruling out several high-profile names including Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise.

Romano's sources suggest otherwise. Behind closed doors, Madrid's intention is to launch a €150m bid for Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, a figure that would represent the club's largest single transfer outlay.

Perez's reasoning is straightforward: the French winger's profile perfectly suits Mourinho's tactical approach. Coupled with existing talent like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, Olise could form a devastating attacking triumvirate. The Madrid supremo has reportedly become enamoured with Olise's performances this season, particularly his output in both goals and assists, alongside his composed demeanour on the pitch.

The Galáctico project continues to evolve, with Perez convinced that assembling world-class attacking talent represents Madrid's path to continental dominance.

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