The summer 2026 transfer window is far from over for Real Madrid despite the 2026/27 La Liga season being just weeks away, as there are loose Rodri and Yan Diomande threads left to tie while Florentino Perez remains locked in contract negotiations with Vinicius Junior amidst hefty interest from Premier League champions Arsenal.
But as the window falls into place for the Royal White club, here is a look at how the 2026/27 Real Madrid starting XI could look under the guidance of a returning Jose Mourinho.
Defense: GK Thibaut Courtois - LB Marc Cucurella - CB Eder Militao - CB Ibrahima Konate - RB Trent Alexander-Arnold
Denzel Dumfries will get plenty of playing time, and there will be minutes for Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger out there, especially if Eder Militao continues to struggle with fitness issues. But on paper, this is clearly Jose's best back four, and unless if Raul Asencio gets a surprise transfer between now and the end of August, this is the crew Jose is pretty much stuck with. But it is a much, much better defense on paper than any since the Cristiano Ronaldo era ended, including the defenses that Carlo Ancelotti won two Champions League titles with.
Midfield: DM Rodri - LCM Jude Bellingham - RCM Fede Valverde
In a squad as talented as this one, somebody is going to have to draw the short end of the stick, and it is either going to be Arda Guler or Fede Valverde. After the 2025/26 season Fede had, including an even worse World Cup for Uruguay, Mourinho would not be faulted for snubbing Fede. But the experienced midfielder has been central to two Champions League titles and offers so much running and all around excellence that it's almost impossible to justify leaving him on the bench, even if Real lose Guler's creativity.
There will be plenty of minutes for both in an open competition, but what is clear is that Real Madrid need more control over games and more running from the midfield. Starting Fede and Jude Bellingham together with the incoming Rodri as an anchor is a sure way to go back to having the world's most dominant midfield trio.
Attack: LW - Vinicius Junior - CF Kylian Mbappe - RW Yan Diomande
While Vinicius Jr.'s future at Real Madrid remains in a state of flux, that left wing job is his until Arsenal pry him out of the Santiago Bernabeu. Jose Mourinho has to get Mbappe and Vini on the same page at long last, and maybe Yan Diomande is the secret weapon. The incoming Ivorian international is an explosive, fast, skilled, and hard working winger who is willing to play on the right to hold width, progress the ball, create chances, and help Trent Alexander-Arnold defensively. Maybe he, not Michael Olise, is the real missing piece for Real Madrid.
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