Real Madrid board reject Mourinho plea for new midfielder despite ongoing problems

Real Madrid’s hierarchy have refused Jose Mourinho’s push to sign a new holding midfielder, deepening a long-running problem in the heart of the team that has persisted since the break-up of the Toni Kroos–Casemiro–Luka Modric era.

The club’s midfield structure has been under scrutiny for several seasons and has become even more fragile following the retirement of Kroos and the departures of Casemiro and Modric.

Despite an aggressive summer rebuild and the arrival of several high-profile signings, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that senior figures at the Bernabeu believe the existing midfield options are sufficient – and that it is Mourinho’s job to solve the on-pitch issues with the players already at his disposal.

Shift to athletic midfield ‘not delivering’

In the wake of the iconic trio’s departure, Real Madrid pivoted towards a more physical, high-energy midfield.

Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde were brought in to form a more dynamic core, replacing the technical control once provided by Kroos and Modric alongside Casemiro’s defensive shield.

However, that change of direction has not produced the expected results. The new, more athletic style has struggled to recreate the same level of balance, fluency and control that defined Madrid’s dominance in Europe.

Even the deeper deployment of Jude Bellingham – used in a more withdrawn role in the attacking line to help stabilise the side – has not fixed the problem. Instead, it has coincided with a drop in the team’s overall goal output, underlining the tactical dilemma Mourinho now faces.

Mourinho wants specialist pivot – but Perez says no

According to Mundo Deportivo, Mourinho is clear that the squad still lacks a true central pivot capable of anchoring the midfield and restoring equilibrium between defence and attack.

The club did secure the signing of Bernardo Silva in the recent transfer window, adding creativity and versatility in advanced areas. But the Portuguese coach is said to remain unconvinced that this alone is enough, and continues to insist privately that a specialist holding midfielder is essential if Madrid are to function at their best.

President Florentino Perez and the Real Madrid board are currently standing firm. The club’s position is that no further midfield arrivals will be sanctioned unless there is a major departure – with Camavinga named specifically as the player whose exit would be required to open space for a new signing.

So far, there is no indication Madrid are prepared to part with the Frenchman, leaving Mourinho with the same midfield core that has already been questioned.

Club insiders blame tactics, not personnel

Within the club, a parallel narrative has taken shape. While key figures acknowledge the midfield is “not perfect”, there is a strong internal view that the overall quality in that area of the pitch is more than adequate.

Those voices argue that the responsibility now lies squarely with Mourinho to find the right blend and structure, rather than pushing for more reinforcements.

There is a belief that, with Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham and now Bernardo Silva, Real Madrid have enough variety and depth for the manager to build an effective unit – and that tactical solutions, not transfers, must be the priority.

Major turnover in squad – but core issue remains

The most recent transfer window brought significant change to the squad.

Real Madrid strengthened several positions with the arrivals of Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva, adding pace and depth at full-back, power in central defence and creativity in midfield and attack.

At the same time, there were notable exits: long-serving right-back Dani Carvajal, versatile defender David Alaba, midfielder Dani Ceballos and left-back Fran Garcia all left the Bernabeu.

Yet despite this considerable reshaping of the squad, the central question of how to rebuild a coherent, dominant midfield after the Kroos–Casemiro–Modric era remains unanswered – and for now, Mourinho will have to seek that answer without the additional specialist midfielder he has been pressing for.