Florentino Perez has successfully retained his position as Real Madrid president after winning the club’s election, paving the way for an ambitious summer overhaul at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The rebuilding process is set to begin with the return of Jose Mourinho as head coach, marking a new chapter that will see major activity in the transfer market as Los Blancos aim to reclaim their dominance in Europe.
With several signings already in motion and others being negotiated, here’s a look at how Real Madrid’s starting XI could line up for the 2026-27 season under Mourinho.
In goal, no changes are expected for now, with Mourinho set to reunite with his former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Portuguese tactician famously chose Courtois over club legend Petr Cech in 2014, a decision that paid off immediately as Chelsea went on to win the Premier League title.
Now aged 34, Courtois is older than Cech was back then, but Mourinho has no pressing reason to replace the Belgian, who remains a dependable presence between the posts.
The first new addition could come at right-back, where Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries is being targeted. Real Madrid are reportedly ready to trigger his €20 million release clause, and Mourinho is thought to prefer him over Trent Alexander-Arnold. The two could share duties, especially since Dumfries is now 30, but Madrid wouldn’t pursue this deal without expecting regular contributions from the Dutchman.
Another major acquisition on the horizon is Ibrahima Konate, who is set to join once his contract with Liverpool expires at the end of the month. Just as they did last year with Alexander-Arnold, Madrid appear to have taken advantage of a contract situation to secure another high-quality defender from Anfield.
The 27-year-old Frenchman will aim to cement his place as a first-choice centre-back, though competition from Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao means he might need to wait for his chance, much like he did at Liverpool.
Madrid have already bid farewell to veteran defender David Alaba, but Mourinho is expected to retain some experience at the back. Antonio Rudiger has reportedly agreed to extend his stay by another year and could play a crucial role provided he remains fit.
Initially, it was believed Mourinho would promote Alvaro Carreras at left-back, but recent reports suggest Madrid have opened talks for Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori, a player Mourinho previously worked with at Roma. Calafiori, capable of operating both as a left-back and centre-back, fits the mould of a versatile replacement for Alaba. However, prising him away from Arsenal will not be straightforward.
Much of the presidential campaign from Enrique Riquelme focused on bringing in Rodri, but Perez seems less inclined to pursue that deal. While there is recognition that Madrid must rejuvenate their midfield following the departures of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, the preference might be to sign a younger talent with long-term potential.
Still, Mourinho could push for a more experienced figure at his peak, and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez has emerged as a possible target. Reports suggest both Perez and Mourinho admire the Argentine, though he would command a hefty fee. Chelsea, however, might be more open to negotiations than before.
Meanwhile, Mourinho reportedly wants to retain Aurelien Tchouameni, though it’s unclear if the Frenchman will start regularly alongside Eduardo Camavinga. One player who will almost certainly be central to Mourinho’s plans is Federico Valverde, whose energy and versatility provide a major boost. With Dumfries expected to handle right-back duties, Valverde should primarily focus on his natural midfield role.
Speculation continues to swirl around a potential record-breaking transfer. Perez hinted at making the biggest offer in the club’s history during his campaign, refusing to confirm whether the €150 million target was Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise. While Bayern are unlikely to sell, Perez’s track record shows he often gets what he wants.
Jude Bellingham is another player Mourinho is keen to revitalise. The manager has previously praised Bellingham’s mentality, emphasising his big-match temperament. After a mixed couple of seasons, the English midfielder will aim to rediscover his best form under Mourinho’s guidance.
Vinicius Junior’s future has been under scrutiny following tensions during the Champions League clash against Benfica involving Gianluca Prestianni. With his contract entering its final year, uncertainty remains, but both sides reportedly wish to continue together. If he stays, Vini Jr is expected to remain a vital part of the attack despite any initial awkwardness.
During the campaign, Riquelme promised to pursue Erling Haaland, a move that would have shifted Kylian Mbappe to the left wing. However, Mbappe is now set to continue as Madrid’s main striker. With an impressive 86 goals in 103 appearances since joining, the French star has delivered individually, but the glaring statistic remains that Madrid have not lifted a major trophy during his tenure. Under Mourinho, expectations will be sky-high to change that narrative in the coming season.