Mourinho, who wants Paz and Hjulmand, told to stay off Olise, may appoint Kroos as assistant coach

Inter Milan has practically no hope of signing Nico Paz as José Mourinho wants to keep the Argentine talent at Real Madrid.

Mourinho will soon be officially confirmed as Real Madrid’s new coach, and according to Corriere dello Sport, the Portuguese tactician is eager to keep Argentine talent Nico Paz at the Bernabéu for 2026-27.

Corriere dello Sport wrote on its front page on Saturday: “Mourinho keeps Nico Paz.”

Nico Paz is about to finish his second season at Como and has just been crowned the best midfielder in the league for the 2025-26 campaign.

Real Madrid have an option to re-sign him until 2027, and the Merengues are eager to activate their clause this summer.

Inter have long been linked with signing the Argentine international, but Como coach Fabregas has said the Nerazzurri won’t sign Nico Paz as the 21-year-old will either return to Madrid or stay in Como.

Mourinho has also reportedly already identified his first major transfer target in the form of Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand as he prepares for a sensational return to Real Madrid. The Portuguese tactician, who is set to replace the departing Alvaro Arbeloa, is also exploring a backroom shake-up that could see club legend Toni Kroos join his coaching staff.

 Mourinho wasted no time in drawing up his requirements for a second stint in the Spanish capital. Topping the shortlist is Danish international Hjulmand, with Mourinho asking the Real Madrid board to sanction a move for the Sporting CP star, according to COPE. The Lisbon giants are expected to demand a fee in the region of €50 million (£43m) for their captain, who has been a standout performer in the Primeira Liga.

Speaking about the links to the Bernabeu, Sporting manager Rui Borges expressed little shock at the interest from one of the world's biggest clubs. "Real Madrid's interest in Hjulmand? I see it as natural, especially considering the great player he is and the great seasons he's had at Sporting. His quality is evident to everyone. It doesn't surprise me at all that Real Madrid or another club wants him or talks about him; it's a sign that the work was done. As a leader, it makes me happy," Borges said in a recent interview with Sport TV.

    In addition to squad reinforcements, Mourinho is looking to restructure the coaching staff and internal dynamics at the club. Having previously worked with Aitor Karanka as his right-hand man during his first stint, the 63-year-old is keen to have an iconic former player by his side. Legendary former Madrid midfielder Kroos has emerged as a candidate for a backroom role, with Mourinho said to be viewing the German as the ideal bridge between the dressing room and the board of directors.

Mourinho is also willing to bring in a star player to feature alongside the likes of Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. Mourinho appears to have already found the answer in the form of Michael Olise.

Although Real Madrid have not been actively linked with a move for Olise this summer, the rumours have intensified after Mourinho was spotted in Berlin, watching the DFB Pokal final between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart.

But Bayern Munich’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness, was asked about Mourinho’s visit to watch Olise, to which he didn’t hold back.

“Is José Mourinho in the stadium tonight to keep an eye on Michael Olise for Real Madrid? He can keep 5 eyes on him, he still won’t get him,” he said.

Hoeness’s comments do appear to be out of spite, especially considering Bayern Munich’s history of losing players to Real Madrid.

More than a decade ago, Bayern Munich lost Toni Kroos to Real Madrid, and the rest is history. David Alaba, too, left the Bavarian club to join Los Blancos in recent memory.