Jose Mourinho has requested Real Madrid make two more signings with Arsenal target Ayyoub Bouaddi among the options under consideration at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos have been very busy since their disastrous 2025-26 season ended with Mourinho returning for a second stint in charge.
Four new signings have followed with Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella and Bernardo Silva all set to join with‘The Special One’ looking for at least two more new additions.
Marca report Mourinho has requested the club sign another centre-half and a midfielder capable of orchestrating play.
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Enzo Fernandez is the top target but Chelsea are demanding £120million for the Argentina international. Mateus Fernandes is also admired by Mourinho but they face intense competition with Tottenham now thought to be leading the race to sign the West Ham United star ahead of Manchester United.
Lille star Bouaddi is another player admired. Marca report that while he is not currently a first-choice target, he has been added to a shortlist of options with Real closely monitoring his performances at the World Cup with Morocco.
The 18-year-old Lille star is one of the most highly-rated young stars in Ligue 1 with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain both huge admirers.
Arsenal have reportedly made an approach to sign Bouaddi this summer and the midfielder has expressed an interest in joining Mikel Arteta’s side.
Anyone looking to sign him this summer may have to dig deep with Lille looking to keep the midfielder for another season and would demand an €80million (£68.9m) transfer fee.
Bouaddi will also not leave Lille for a reduced role at another club and would favour a move to a club where he will have a key role to play.
‘I’ve been amazed by his maturity and also his entourage is really good,’ former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud recently said of the young midfielder.
‘His head is well done in the sense that he is calm, confident, he’s staying himself. It’s a gift to have him in the team and I think Morocco is very, very pleased to have him. He’s shown that from the first game and I think that’s just the beginning… 18 years old.
‘I was talking with friends and they sent me pictures of Patrick Vieira and Sergio Busquets. They said he was a mix of both.
‘He’s a complete player, he’s very versatile, he’s all over the place, a bit like N’Golo Kante.’