Even after finalising four transfers before the transfer window officially opened, Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid are reportedly continuing their summer spending spree.
According to Diario AS, Mourinho is open to the idea of signing a traditional target man striker, similar in profile to recent cult hero Joselu Mato — a tall, physical aerial presence capable of holding up play and providing a different attacking option.
Like Joselu, the new signing would likely not start ahead of the likes of Kylian Mbappe, instead serving as an impact substitute or a reliable Plan B when a more direct approach is required.
However, news of Mourinho's desire to sign a traditional striker has potentially cast doubt over the short-term futures of several of Real Madrid's current attacking options. So, let's assess what could happen next.
What A New No.9 Could Mean For Endrick And Gonzalo Garcia
If one aspect of the situation is already clear, it is that Mbappe will remain the main striker at Real Madrid for the foreseeable future.
With 86 goals in 103 appearances in all competitions, the Frenchman has further cemented his reputation as one of the world’s best, and the 27-year-old seems certain to remain Mourinho’s first-choice forward.
In the reports made by Diario AS, it was outlined that the introduction of a new striker would likely depend on the future of 22-year-old Gonzalo Garcia. The academy graduate has been pushing into the first-team picture for a couple of years, yet has not established himself as a definitive solution.
Standing at 6ft, the Spaniard is capable of playing anywhere across the front three, but flourished in his natural striker role during the Club World Cup last summer, scoring four in six appearances on his way to winning the Golden Boot of the tournament.
It has emerged that Garcia will be given a chance to impress Mourinho early in pre-season, with his performances likely to determine whether Madrid use his services this season or look elsewhere for a more proven talent.
Another major talking point is Endrick, the Brazilian wonderkid who has shown flashes of promise since arriving from Palmeiras for approximately £51 million (€60 million) in 2024.
However, in a bid to gain more game time, he went on loan to Olympique Lyon for the second half of last season after playing just 99 minutes for Madrid due to injuries and limited opportunities under former boss Xabi Alonso.
In 21 appearances, Endrick scored eight goals and provided eight assists, demonstrating his ability to both create and finish consistently. Nevertheless, he is reportedly considered an important part of Mourinho’s future plans.
Despite this, the arrival of a traditional target man would not directly replace him, as they would operate in different styles, but it could still limit his minutes and overall involvement in the side. Again, the prospect of another loan move looms large if the player becomes unhappy.
Real Madrid's Striker Stats
| Player | Age | Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals | Minutes Per Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe | 27 | 103 | 8,361 | 86 | 97.2 |
| Gonzalo Garcia | 22 | 51 | 2,044 | 13 | 157.2 |
| Endrick | 19 | 40 | 997 | 7 | 142.4 |
Read More: 5 Reasons Florentino Perez Brought Jose Mourinho Back to Real Madrid
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Who Could Fill Mourinho's Target Man Role?
In spite of no clear interest from Madrid so far, fans and pundits alike have speculated on who could replicate similar performances to Joselu’s remarkable 2023-24 campaign.
As alluded to, García possesses similar traits of physicality and intelligent movement, and could represent a simple, homegrown option from the club’s La Fábrica academy.
Having said that, Madrid have continually built a reputation for signing ‘galácticos’, with only the world’s best often deemed good enough whenever possible.
A name that has long been associated with a move to Los Blancos is the pacey and physical Victor Osimhen. The 27-year-old Nigerian has been in impressive form at Galatasaray since his initial loan in 2024, which was followed by a €75 million transfer from Napoli.
However, Osimhen’s strong performances, high wages, and two years remaining on his deal mean an immediate transfer would likely be too ambitious for Mourinho to pull off, at least this summer.
Furthermore, Madrid made headlines in May by publicly lodging a €150 million bid to sign Atlético Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, on the orders of club president Florentino Perez, although Atletico were quick to dismiss the slightly outlandish proposition.
With no other names currently being linked at a reasonable fee, the answer appears to rest on Garcia for now. If not, Mourinho will have to think outside the box for his man inside the box.
