Mourinho targets Ruben Dias in £80m Real Madrid move as City vow to resist

Jose Mourinho is plotting an £80m move for Manchester City defender Ruben Dias, with Real Madrid growing increasingly confident of luring the Portuguese centre-back to the Bernabeu this summer.

Mourinho, now into his second stint as Real manager, has pinpointed Dias as one of his top priorities as he looks to reinforce his defence. Real president Florentino Perez is prepared to back the move financially and is reportedly drawing up an initial offer, though City are determined to fend off any approach from the La Liga giants.

Incoming City manager Enzo Maresca views Dias as integral to his plans at the Etihad, a stance reinforced by the recent departure of John Stones. City originally signed Dias from Benfica for £60m in 2020, and the centre-back has since been central to 11 major trophies at the club, including the historic Treble in 2023.

Dias is contracted at City until 2028, but Pep Guardiola’s exit has cast uncertainty over the futures of several key players. Mourinho has identified the 27-year-old as a potential defensive partner for Antonio Rudiger, and the allure of a move to Madrid may prove difficult to resist for a player who has won everything available in Manchester.

Dias is currently part of Portugal’s World Cup squad and is focused on the tournament, meaning any transfer discussions are unlikely to accelerate until after the competition concludes.

Real are also monitoring Dias’s City teammate Rodri, though Perez is said to privately acknowledge that completing a double swoop on City would be virtually unachievable.

Separately, Bernardo Silva is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer once the World Cup ends, having brought down the curtain on his City career at the close of the season.