Real Madrid bank windfalls from Bournemouth deal and Fiorentina sale
Mourinho’s Madrid will play Leganes in a closed friendly at Valdebebas on 28 July, aiding fitness and integration before friendlies vs Fiorentina on 1 Aug and Deportivo on 12 Aug, with Schalke talks ongoing.
Neville says Tuchel’s blunt critique after England’s 2-1 win shows why he was hired, after a brief spat with match-winner Jude Bellingham. Tuchel insists there is no issue after addressing the squad.
Kylian Mbappe starts for France vs Spain to set a French World Cup appearances record at 21. Aurelien Tchouameni returns from injury. Both face new Real Madrid teammate Marc Cucurella.
Rumours link Real Madrid with Michael Olise, a future move for Erling Haaland, Unai Simon as a Courtois successor, and Endrick minutes under Mourinho. No deals confirmed.
Bournemouth sign ex-Real Madrid forward Alvaro Rodriguez from Elche for £25.7m on a five-year deal. Madrid reportedly pocket around 50% via a sell-on clause, boosting funds for Mourinho’s squad.
Cucurella (€55m) and Dumfries (€20m) arrivals raise stakes at full-back. Alexander-Arnold and Carreras must impress Mourinho after underwhelming seasons, with form to decide starts in 2026-27.
Ex-Real Madrid boss Arbeloa takes Fulham job on a three-year deal, targeting brave, attacking football and signings to ‘build something’. He left Madrid in June after reaching the UCL quarters and 2nd in LaLiga.
Real Madrid agree €8m sale of Víctor Valdepeñas to Fiorentina, with a 50% sell-on and future control. The 19-year-old debuted last season but faces Cucurella competition for minutes.
Talks to extend Vinicius Jr, contracted to 2027, are paused. The winger seeks pay on a par with Mbappe, while Madrid resist altering their wage hierarchy. Florentino Perez leads efforts for a compromise.
Real Madrid prioritise offloading Raul Asencio to trim centre-back numbers before moving for a new defender, with Alessandro Bastoni preferred and Benfica’s Tomas Araujo also eyed.
