Real Madrid have endured two empty seasons with the 2025/26 campaign arguably one of the worst in the club’s history with dining room friction undermining the efforts of Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
After cementing his position as president by seeing off Enrique Riquelme’s challenge, Florentino Perez brought Jose Mourinho back to the Santiago Bernabeu and tasked him with restoring the club to glory at home and in Europe.
Perez has promised to spend big as part of his new job but progress so far has been steady rather than spectacular with Marc Cucurella investing heavily, the Spanish defender brought in from Chelsea for a fee of up to £51.8million.
Denzel Dumfries arrived from Inter Milan for £17.1m while experienced duo Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate joined on free transfers after their contracts at Manchester City and Liverpool respectively expired.
However, that level of creativity is set to end as two big-name players look set to join Mourinho’s transformation.
The first will be Yan Diomande, who sharpens the Ivory Coast. Madrid have been locked in talks with RB Leipzig for several weeks and, after a brief pause, a decision appears imminent.
The 19-year-old is likely to cost Madrid in the region of £102m, making him the most expensive African player of all time. The fee also represents incredible business for Leipzig, who signed him from Leganes for £17m 12 months ago.
Diomande is likely to be joined by Rodri in the Spanish capital. Manchester City’s insistence on the eventual Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner appears to be faltering and talks have begun for the 30-year-old to return to La Liga after spending seven years at the Etihad.
Madrid isn’t just improving with incoming players.
Vinicius Jr’s long-running contract dispute is coming to an end as Madrid’s latest offer is likely to be accepted. The Brazilian has less than 12 months left on his current contract, prompting Premier League champions, Arsenal, to make an unannounced inquiry, which seems to have made Madrid successful in getting the deal done.
The additions of Diomande and Rodri, as well as keeping Vinicius Jr, will require a huge investment from Madrid but will provide Mourinho with a new line-up to get the 15-time European champions back on track.
Here’s how they can plan for next season:
He has a goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois
There is no change here with Courtois well established as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The Belgian giant is key to Madrid’s machine.
THE DEFENDERS
Right back
Denzel Dumfries
The Dutch international has been one of the best right-backs in European football over the last few years and his willingness to get forward and support the attack should give Madrid a new lease of life. The right-back struggled last season with Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling for full fitness and Dani Carvajal reluctant. That used to lead to Federico Valverde playing on the sidelines but that shouldn’t happen this term.
Central Defender
Ibrahima Konate
Konate will probably get the nod over Dean Huijsen due to his physicality. He struggled off the pitch at Liverpool last season and is always prone to the odd error but would form a rugged pairing with Antonio Rudiger.
Central Defender
Antonio Rudiger
The German is 33 years old but still an important member of the Madrid team. Similar to Konate in style of play, Rudiger is also an influential voice in the Madrid dressing room. He has been accused of not always using his form wisely but his combative nature may sit well with Mourinho.
Left back
Marc Cucurella
There will be no shortage of combat in Madrid’s defense next season with Cucurella another to bring a competitive edge. The best defender in the World Cup, Cucurella will solve Madrid’s problem on the left side of defense.
THE MIDFIELDERS
Rodri
The best in the world in the midfield role and arguably the best. The Spaniard controls the pace of the game, is always looking to play forward and through the lines and comes up with important goals. If Madrid can prize him away from City, it will change their chances overnight.
Federico Valverde
He endured a difficult 2025/26 season that saw him blocked between midfield and defense and ended up in a training session with Aurelien Tchouameni that saw him hospitalized. There were highlights, a brilliant hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, which again showed what he is capable of. The Uruguayan will benefit from some love from Mourinho.
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham is one who struggled to find top gear last season but a brilliant World Cup with England means he should be full of confidence ahead of the new campaign. Technically good, physically strong and good with the ball at his feet – Bellingham has all the qualities required of a modern midfielder.
THE ATTACKERS
The right wing
Yan Diomande
Yes, Diomande has played on the left a lot but at only 19, there is no reason why he can’t learn the skills needed to play on the other side. Fast, strong and deadly in one man, he will provide great balance to a Madrid attack that has looked lop-sided at times.
Left wing
Vinicius Jr
The Brazilian often looked indifferent last season and the Bernabeu crowd quickly let him know that they were not impressed. The 26-year-old, who will return to Spain with a new look, is likely to use that as fuel to show that he is still a top-class player who has tormented defenses over the years. That will be music to Mourinho’s ears.
Striker
Kylian Mbappe
Like Vinicius, Mbappe has endured a love-hate relationship with the Madrid fanbase at times. The ability is unquestionable and his record in Spain of 86 goals in two seasons shows that he is the perfect man to lead the attack.
