Real Madrid News
Mourinho wants Real Madrid to swoop in for Portuguese defender with €80 million release clause
Real Madrid seem keen to revamp their defence, with Jose Mourinho placing a lot of emphasis on getting this aspect right on his return to the Spanish capital.
After already strengthening the back line with the signings of Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries, Madrid are still looking at the market for another centre-back.
Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Mourinho wants Real Madrid to sign Tomas Araujo, the 24-year-old Portugal defender with whom he worked last season at Benfica.
For now, the manager has placed Araujo’s name on the table as Real Madrid assess options to complete the defence. However, Los Blancos have not made a formal move.
Araujo may be admired by the coach, but Real Madrid want to ensure they analyse all their options before making a move.
Mourinho knows the player well
Araujo’s appeal is easy to understand from Mourinho’s perspective. He knows the defender personally, understands his character and has already seen how he responds to tactical demands.
In many ways, the Portugal international enjoyed a breakthrough campaign and showed exactly what Mourinho values.
Real Madrid are not simply looking for another body in defence. They need a player capable of competing immediately while fitting into a squad that is being reshaped for a new cycle.
Araujo, at 24, is at an interesting age: experienced enough to contribute, but still young enough to grow inside a demanding environment like the Santiago Bernabeu.
Price and competition complicate the deal
The problem is the cost. Benfica would point to Araujo’s €80 million release clause, making any deal far from simple.
Bayern Munich are also said to be interested, which could further complicate Real Madrid’s route. That said, Mourinho may play a key role in convincing him to choose the Spanish club.
Real Madrid should be careful not to overpay unless they are completely convinced that he is the long-term solution.
The club have been guilty of making such moves in the past without thinking them through. Yes, Mourinho’s preference matters, but it cannot be the final word.
For now, Araujo is a name to watch, and it remains to be seen whether the transfer saga develops.
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
