Arsenal transfer news: Mourinho enquires about former protege now at the Gunners

Jose Mourinho is set to become Real Madrid‘s next manager, barring a surprise. And the Special One is already deeply involved in summer transfer planning.

Following a second consecutive trophyless season, the Spanish giants have once again opted for a change on the bench, parting ways with Alvaro Arbeloa. Mourinho is Florentino Perez's number one choice, but the president must wait for his re-election — widely expected — before officially confirming the return of the former Real Madrid boss who managed the club between 2010 and 2013.

In the meantime, the Spanish outfit are positioning themselves aggressively in the market, having already sealed two major defensive signings for a combined outlay of just £17 million (€20 million) — Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool on a free transfer and Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan. And there is more to come.

A third defender for Real Madrid alongside Konate and Dumfries?

As reported on X by Nicolo Schira, Real Madrid have made enquiries about the situation surrounding Riccardo Calafiori. While formal discussions have not yet begun with Arsenal, the Spanish club hold a strong interest in the 24-year-old, a versatile defender capable of operating at centre-back or left-back.

Mourinho first crossed paths with Calafiori at Roma in 2021, before the defender left for Basel in 2022, a move sanctioned by the Portuguese himself. Mourinho has retained fond memories of the player and wants to be reunited with him at the Bernabeu this summer, with the defence understood to be the sporting director's top priority.

There is no small irony in the pursuit: Mourinho approved Calafiori's departure from Roma for just £1.3 million (€1.5 million), only for Arsenal to sign the defender from Bologna two years later for approximately £37 million (€44 million) plus add-ons.

Real Madrid interested — but would Arsenal sell?

Should Real Madrid move for Calafiori, the question is how the Gunners would respond. As a Premier League powerhouse, Arsenal are under no financial pressure to sell. Any departure would therefore be a sporting decision rather than a financial necessity.

The Italian remains an important member of Mikel Arteta's squad, having made 36 appearances across all competitions this season. His Champions League involvement was limited — just six matches out of 15, four starts, and a place on the bench for the entirety of the final — but that was largely down to fitness problems, with 11 matches missed through injury.

Under contract until June 2029, the Italy international is valued at approximately £47 million (€55 million). The defender's own wishes are likely to prove decisive in this case: should Calafiori express a desire to join Real Madrid, Arsenal would have little choice but to open the door to Mourinho's club.