Zubimendi is the one Mourinho wants
Real Madrid are pushing for Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi, and Mourinho has signed off on it (3) (6). The pursuit would mean Eduardo Camavinga is free to leave (3) (5). Arsenal's Bruno Guimaraes complicates the picture on their side (3).
Cucurella knows his role next to Vinicius
Marc Cucurella summed up the plan simply: his job is to defend so Vinicius Jr can attack (1). "If he feels I'm covering him, then Nico can do great things for our team," he told The Guardian (1).
Sergio Martínez is on the radar
Madrid are looking at Racing de Santander's 19-year-old midfielder Sergio Martínez (2). A young La Liga talent worth watching.
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Rodrygo targets a September return
Rodrygo is intensifying his ACL recovery and should join field activities in September (4). He is one of the captaincy picks for the season opener (4).
Mbappé scored six minutes in against Schalke
Real Madrid beat Schalke in their August 16 friendly, with Kylian Mbappé scoring early (8). Vinicius Jr looked off pace in the same match (8).
No public unveiling for Mourinho
Madrid will skip a public unveiling for Mourinho and any new signings, going for a closed-doors event instead (7). Avoiding the spotlight before the Espanyol opener.
Goalkeeper shortlist: Navarro, not Trubin
Benfica's Anatoliy Trubin is not happening. Javi Navarro is the chosen one (9).
Rivas and Smit are names to know
Mario Rivas has impressed in preseason and could shake up squad planning (10). Jorge Mendes is also working to put Kees Smit at the top of Madrid's radar (11).
Fan-reaktioner
Madridistas are debating whether the squad is too crowded, with multiple starter-level players in several positions. A throwback thread to the 11th Champions League win over Atlético is also doing the rounds.
