Real Madrid captaincy set, striker chance under Mourinho
Olise has told Bayern he wishes to stay, with the club deeming him unsellable despite Real Madrid links. A new contract and pay rise could follow.
Dressing-room clip hints: Konate 4, Cucurella 2, Bernardo Silva 19, Dumfries 20. Endrick appears set for 9, placed between Mbappe 10 and Valverde 8.
Pundit Pablo Espinosa urges Real Madrid to consider selling Eduardo Camavinga to Newcastle for €50-60m, citing their midfield needs. No contacts reported and Camavinga wants to stay.
Madrid plan renewals for Courtois to 2028, plus talks with Bellingham, Valverde and Mbappe. Tchouameni and Brahim agreed new deals. Vinicius Jr. talks stalled over demands.
Striker Gonzalo Garcia reports back in top shape as Mourinho evaluates him as a classic No 9 option. With Endrick and Mbappe absent early, he could lead the line vs Fiorentina on 1 August.
Mourinho calls up 16 academy players for pre-season, including Palacios, Cestero, Fran Gonzalez and Victor Valdepeñas, reviving La Fábrica focus after his record of 20 debuts in his first spell.
Marc Cucurella vows to tattoo Luis de la Fuente’s face if Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final, after starring in the 2-0 semi-final win over France.
Fulham boss Álvaro Arbeloa targets Real Madrid prospects César Palacios, Gonzalo and Franco Mastantuono, exploring loans or low-cost deals with buyback clauses as Palacios weighs offers.
Real Madrid monitor Benfica’s Anatoliy Trubin, 24, as a long-term Courtois successor, with Mourinho’s past link a factor. Lunin stays as backup while Trubin draws interest from Spurs, Villa and PSG.
Alexander-Arnold hails Mourinho’s return, targets trophies and a starting role after Carvajal’s exit. Fit again, he eyes the 2026-27 opener vs Espanyol and responds to Tuchel’s World Cup omission.
Adidas’ Real Madrid 26-27 away kit leaks in authentic form via @FancyFS_, offering the clearest look yet of next season’s design.
AS say some at Real Madrid regret not moving for Pedro Porro before his new Spurs deal to 2031. With Mourinho backing Trent, Madrid chose €20m Dumfries over an estimated €50m Porro.
Iker Casillas blasts England’s ‘cowardly’ tactics after leading then losing to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, saying they sat deep and invited pressure.
Nico Schlotterbeck will stay at Dortmund, with Madrid’s chance to trigger his clause expired. Mourinho still wants a centre-back, with Alessandro Bastoni preferred if sales permit.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, scorer of six at the World Cup, posts a defiant message to England fans after the semi-final loss, saying ‘we can achieve big things’ and thanking supporters.
Centre-back Raul Asencio rejects Chelsea interest to fight for a place under Mourinho, despite Konaté’s arrival and plans for another defender. Mendes explores exits as minutes look limited.
Mourinho sets captaincy: Federico Valverde to wear the armband, Vinicius Jr. vice-captain, Thibaut Courtois third, Rodrygo fourth after Dani Carvajal’s exit.
