Jose Mourinho has reportedly requested Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori as one of his first signings should he become the next manager of Real Madrid, according to a report from El Debate. Mourinho is widely expected to take over at Real Madrid if Florentino Perez is re-elected as president on Sunday, having recently concluded his time at Benfica. The Portuguese manager is already formulating transfer targets, with Calafiori identified as a key addition.
Fabrizio Romano has previously reported that Real Madrid had already initiated contact with Calafiori’s representatives several weeks ago, suggesting a genuine interest from the Spanish capital. Calafiori joined Arsenal last summer and featured sporadically for the Gunners, providing cover in multiple defensive positions. He has two years remaining on his current contract at the Emirates.
Arsenal are also exploring a move for Emmanuel Mbemba, the captain of Paris Saint-Germain’s youth team, in what Le Parisien describes as a “dirty trick” aimed at PSG. The Gunners are attempting to capitalize on Mbemba’s potential reluctance to sign a professional contract with PSG. Should Arsenal secure Mbemba, they are likely to loan him out to further his development, with Paris FC potentially being a destination.
Further forward, Arsenal have been linked with Julian Alvarez, the Atletico Madrid striker, but face a significant hurdle. Cadena SER reports that Alvarez is the “only realistic option” remaining for the player, as negotiations between Atletico and Barcelona have stalled due to a dispute over a reported €100 million bid. However, Alvarez is reportedly unwilling to return to the Premier League after his time with Manchester City, and is expected to remain at Atletico.
Finally, Arsenal are prioritizing a move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to CaughtOffside. While Sandro Tonali of Newcastle has been linked with the Gunners, Fernandes is considered their preferred target. West Ham are demanding a fee exceeding €80 million for the 21-year-old, though the recent resignation of joint-chair David Sullivan could impact their transfer strategy.
