Jose Mourinho is reportedly targeting Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori as part of his rebuild at Real Madrid, according to sources. The Portuguese manager, who is set to return to the Bernabeu for a second stint, previously sold Calafiori during his time at Roma but now sees the Italian as a key addition to his squad.
Mourinho has already agreed deals for Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate, with Konate arriving on a free transfer and Dumfries costing £20m through a buy-out clause. Calafiori, who left Roma for Basel in 2022 for just £1.5m before joining Arsenal in a £42m deal two years later, is now a target for the Spanish giants.
The 22-year-old Italy international is a popular figure in the Arsenal dressing room and recently celebrated winning the club's first title in 22 years. However, injuries have hampered his progress, and Real Madrid may test Arsenal's resolve in the current transfer window. Calafiori can play at left-back or centre-half and is a regular for Italy, though he missed the World Cup.
Arsenal are well-stocked in defence with Piero Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Calafiori was an unused substitute in the Champions League final due to an injury. Mourinho's return to Real Madrid has yet to be officially confirmed, but he is expected to be unveiled after the club's presidential election on Sunday, June 7.
