What Jose Mourinho has done to sign Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori amid sudden Real Madrid pursuit

At a Glance:

• Jose Mourinho admires Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori.
• Mourinho has taken a step to bring him to Real Madrid.
• Why Arsenal should consider selling Calafiori on one condition.

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Injuries stopped Riccardo Calafiori in his tracks last season but when fit, he was undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers.

Calafiori had an excellent campaign and during the 2025/2026 campaign, he ousted the talented Myles Lewis-Skelly as the Gunners’ starting left-back.

However, ill-timed fitness issues have meant the Italian international has had to witness Piero Hincapie fill in for him and quite wonderfully as well.

Jose Mourinho, who looks set to become Real Madrid’s new manager seems to have taken a liking to Calafiori, who Mikel Arteta clearly values massively.

Jose Mourinho requests Riccardo Calafiori signing at Real Madrid

Journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon has revealed that Mourinho has requested Real Madrid to explore the potential acquisition of Calafiori in the summer.

🚨Mourinho le ha pedido al Real Madrid que explore la opción de fichar a Calafiori. Le gusta la polivalencia del italiano (central-lateral izquierdo).

Os doy más detalles de otras peticiones en el canal. pic.twitter.com/K2yyOyqBFq

— Ramón Álvarez de Mon (@Ramon_AlvarezMM) June 3, 2026

Jose Mourinho admires Calafiori’s versatility in particular, considering he is a centre-back by trade but has proven to be a top-class left-back for Arsenal as well.

The 24-year-old remains contracted to Arsenal until 2029. As a result, he goes against the Spanish club’s recent philosophy of signing players on free transfers, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.

Arsenal should consider Riccardo Calafiori sale on one condition

Based on Calafiori’s quality, tactical flexibility and importance to Mikel Arteta’s system, Arsenal would have no reason to allow him to work with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

However, in his last two seasons, the Rome-born star has missed 44 games through injury for club and country.

• 2024/2025 season: 29 games
• 2025/2026 season: 15 games

If Real Madrid make Arsenal they cannot refuse for Calafiori, perhaps the English giants should consider offloading him as the versatile defender’s fitness record is far too unreliable.

Otherwise, the Gunners would have no reason to part ways with the defender.