“I don’t want him at Real Madrid” – Osimhen dream transfer hit by Mourinho rejection

Victor Osimhen’s dream of playing for Real Madrid has suffered a major setback after club legend Iker Casillas publicly opposed the possible return of Jose Mourinho to the Spanish giants, Afrik-Foot reports.

Reports in Spain claimed Mourinho is in advanced negotiations to replace Alvaro Arbeloa as Real Madrid coach following another disappointing season at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Portuguese manager is said to have identified Victor Osimhen as one of the key players needed to rebuild the team.

Osimhen, who has enjoyed another prolific campaign with Galatasaray, has increasingly been linked with a move to Madrid in recent weeks. Mourinho reportedly believes the Nigerian striker is the missing piece in an attack that has struggled to find balance since the departure of Karim Benzema.

But the situation has become more complicated after Casillas openly criticised the idea of Mourinho returning to the club.

Writing on social media platform X, the former Real Madrid captain insisted he respected Mourinho professionally but did not believe he was the right man for the future of the club.

“I have no problem with Mourinho,” Casillas wrote. “He seems like a great professional to me. I don’t want him at Real Madrid. I think other coaches would be better equipped to coach at the club of my life.”

Casillas’ comments immediately reignited memories of the pair’s turbulent relationship during Mourinho’s first spell in Madrid between 2010 and 2013.

At the time, Mourinho and Casillas clashed over several issues, including tensions between Real Madrid and Barcelona players inside the Spanish national team. Mourinho eventually dropped Casillas from the starting line-up, a decision that divided supporters and created serious tension inside the dressing room.

Casillas later described that period as emotionally exhausting, comparing their relationship to a marriage that had broken down.

Mourinho wants Osimhen to lead new-look Real Madrid attack

Despite the criticism, Mourinho remains one of the leading candidates to take over at Real Madrid as club president Florentino Perez searches for a strong figure capable of restoring order after a second straight trophyless season.

The Madrid dressing room has become increasingly unstable in recent months, with stories emerging of disagreements between players, including a reported altercation involving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Perez is believed to see Mourinho as the ideal manager to control the club’s high-profile personalities, including Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

However, Osimhen is reportedly central to Mourinho’s rebuilding plans. The Portuguese coach wants the Nigerian to operate as a traditional number nine, freeing Mbappe and Vinicius to play in wider attacking positions where they are considered most dangerous.

Galatasaray are believed to value Osimhen at between €100 million and €150 million, a figure that could make him one of the most expensive African players in football history.

However, if Mourinho’s return collapses under mounting pressure from supporters and influential voices around the club, Madrid’s pursuit of Osimhen could also lose momentum.

That would open the door for several other European giants. Barcelona are reportedly monitoring Osimhen as a possible long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, while Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, remain interested after previous attempts to sign the striker failed because of his huge valuation.