Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid manager would ‘love’ to return to the club – Romano
Reports earlier this week confirmed that Real Madrid are looking for a new manager this summer, and that they preferentially hold the position for an experienced campaigner who has held big managerial positions before.
After all, the recent bittersweet experiences with Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso convince the Real Madrid administration that only an experienced name can handle the dressing room and the politics that arise with it.
Jose Mourinho, on that front, emerged as an option linked with the club alongside the likes of Jurgen Klopp, Lionel Scaloni and Didier Deschamps.
Mourinho’s stance
As confirmed by Fabrizio Romano in a recent report, Mourinho would love the opportunity to coach Real Madrid again should it present itself.
As of today, however, no talks have been held with the Portuguese manager yet, and the move is still in very preliminary stages.
In fact, he has not even been confirmed to be the first-choice managerial target.
Earlier this season, relations between Mourinho and Real Madrid soured after the Benfica manager defended Gianluca Prestianni during the controversy with Vinicius Jr.
He called out the Brazilian star’s provocative celebration and used it to mask the racial abuse on the field.
Mourinho’s stance, needless to say, did not go down well with the Real Madrid dressing room and it soon came to light that even the administration had closed the door to any future return for the ‘Special One.’
Now, though, he is back as one of the candidates seen to be capable of bringing the best out of the dressing room.
A lot, however, will depend on the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the top managers who will become available on the market after the event.
Real Madrid have identified the midfield department as a key area of the squad that needs strengthening next year.
Having failed to sign Rodri this past summer, the Merengues understand that a major signing is necessary in the position.
Several names have already been linked as potential targets for the Spanish capital club, one of whom happens to be AFC Bournemouth rising star Alex Scott.
Indeed, Real Madrid have scouted the England international this season and are continuing to closely monitor his development in the Premier League.
However, competition for the 23-year-old midfielder’s services is already heating up.
AC Milan eye Alex Scott
Indeed, according to Tutto Mercato (h/t AS), Italian giants AC Milan have set their sights on Scott to replace Real Madrid legend Luka Modric next season.
Modric, at 41, is entering the final phase of his career and his contract with the Rossoneri stands to expire at the end of the ongoing campaign.
As such, the Serie A heavyweights will need to rope in a replacement and have seemingly identified Scott, who is also on Real Madrid’s radar, as an option.
Apart from AC Milan, even Chelsea and Liverpool have also shown interest in the 23-year-old England star, and might even be willing to make a move for him in January.
This complicates the situation for Real Madrid, who would ideally wait until the summer of 2027 to reinforce their midfield unit.
€50 million for Scott?
Furthermore, the report states that Scott is valued by Bournemouth at around €50 million, a fee that could be an issue for AC Milan.
That figure, however, should not pose a challenge for Real Madrid. Nonetheless, the increasing competition for the 23-year-old’s services could drive up the price further, making things complicated.
For now, though, Real Madrid’s interest in Scott has been limited to scouting and monitoring his progress and compiling reports on him.
Whether it translates into a formal approach and offer in the summer or in January itself remains to be seen.
