Jose Mourinho wants Ruben Dias at Real Madrid, and he’s apparently willing to back that desire with £80 million of the club’s money. The Portuguese manager has requested that Real Madrid’s board pursue a transfer for his compatriot, the Manchester City defender who remains under contract until the summer of 2029.
This isn’t a casual inquiry. Mourinho, now installed at the Santiago Bernabeu, is targeting a player who has been one of the Premier League’s most reliable center-backs since arriving at the Etihad Stadium. The timing is notable: Manchester City’s post-Guardiola era has created a window of uncertainty, and Mourinho appears eager to exploit it.
The deal on the table
Manchester City reportedly values Dias at approximately €80 million, which translates to roughly £80 million at current exchange rates. Some reports have floated a lower valuation closer to €55 million, creating a gap that negotiations would need to bridge.
For context, City originally signed Dias from Benfica in September 2020 for a reported initial fee of €68 million. The fact that his valuation has either held steady or increased after six seasons speaks to how highly the club rates his contributions.
