Real Madrid have had hectic activity in the transfer market since Mourinho was hired as manager for next season. The Portuguese has been brought in to break the two-year trophy drought that has characterized the capital club.
Los Blancos have had to watch as Barcelona have lifted La Liga in the last two years, while they themselves have been far away from both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey – ever since they won the double in 2024.
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Mourinho has already made his mark on the team, especially in defence. He secured Ibrahima Konaté on a free transfer from Liverpool in the summer, before bringing in Marc Cucurella from Chelsea after agreeing with the Spaniard.
While the Portuguese has been working intensely to rebuild his back row, he has also been lightning quick to ensure he doesn’t lose any of his striker options. When rumours began to swirl about a possible sale, Mourinho chose to intervene personally.
Gonzalo García in Mourinho’s spotlight
Gonzalo García made 39 appearances for Real Madrid last season, netting eight goals and three assists across all competitions – under both Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa.
It was long believed that the Spanish international would leave the club this summer to take on a more prominent role elsewhere. But according to journalist Matteo Moretto, quoted by Marca, Mourinho wants to personally assess García’s skills before he is given the green light to leave.
García can occupy several positions in attack, but his main role is as a striker – meaning he will be competing directly with Kylian Mbappé for a starting spot.
A choice that can change everything
The 22-year-old attacker has seen former teammate and academy colleague Víctor Muñoz leave the club this summer – to Liverpool. Muñoz already made the choice at the start of last season to go to Osasuna to get more playing time, and it paid off. He showed off his qualities, was rewarded with a move to the Premier League, and even made Spain’s World Cup squad.
García may have envisioned a similar path for his own career. But Mourinho’s intervention could mean that he will have a completely different future – perhaps an opportunity to become a far more important piece at Real Madrid than he himself had dared to hope for.
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