José Mourinho attended the DFB Cup final in Berlin on Saturday with Real Madrid's transfer ambitions already taking shape. The Portuguese manager, poised to replace Álvaro Arbeloa at the Spanish capital this summer, is reportedly tracking Michael Olise as a potential addition to Los Blancos' squad. However, Bayern Munich's hierarchy has made their position abundantly clear: the French winger is not going anywhere.
Bayern's honorary president Uli Hoeneß did not hold back when confronted with speculation linking Mourinho to Olise. "He can keep a close eye on him all he likes, it won't do any good," the 74-year-old told Sky Deutschland, emphasizing that the 24-year-old is "not for sale." Hoeneß's blunt message underscores Bayern's resolve to retain one of their most valuable attacking talents, despite interest from multiple European powerhouses including Liverpool and Barcelona.
Mourinho's Real Madrid Return Takes Shape
Mourinho's presence in Berlin extended beyond spectating the final. The former Inter Milan and Chelsea boss held meetings with Stuttgart's sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth, arranged through super-agent Jorge Mendes's agency GestiFute. These discussions signal that Mourinho is already working on transfer targets ahead of his anticipated appointment at the Bernabéu, where he previously won La Liga and the Copa del Rey during his three-year tenure from 2010 to 2013.
Real Madrid's presidential chief Florentino Pérez views Mourinho's authoritative management style as essential medicine for a squad brimming with world-class talent but struggling with cohesion. The club has endured a trophy drought spanning two seasons—a stark contrast to their 2023-24 La Liga and Champions League double. Arbeloa, Mourinho's predecessor-in-waiting, could not command respect among the squad's established stars, mirroring the difficulties faced by Xabi Alonso before him.
Despite being contracted to Benfica Lisbon through 2027, Mourinho's departure appears inevitable. Olise, contracted to Munich until 2029, remains a key asset in Bayern's plans. Sporting director Max Eberl has repeatedly dismissed any prospect of selling the winger, signaling that Madrid's pursuit faces a formidable obstacle. As Real prepares for a major rebuild, Mourinho's scouting mission in Berlin marks the opening move in what promises to be a competitive summer transfer window.
