Real Madrid's summer is being shaped by two pressing concerns: a blockbuster transfer pursuit and a contract standoff with one of their own stars. Florentino Perez has identified Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise as his top priority, and the path has cleared considerably after PSG decided against matching Bayern's reported €200 million asking price. Former Los Blancos midfielder Claude Makelele has personally lobbied Perez to sign Olise, comparing the France international's influence to Lionel Messi, while Olise himself has reportedly communicated his desire to move to the Bernabeu. The situation remains delicate, with the club proceeding carefully to avoid a diplomatic rift with Bayern Munich, but Real Madrid appear to be in pole position.

Running alongside that pursuit is a growing concern over Vinicius Junior. Contract negotiations have hit a stumbling block over financial terms, and the club must tread carefully to avoid upsetting Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham in the process. Mbappe arrives into pre-season carrying the weight of two trophy-less campaigns at the club, with his standing in Madrid having deteriorated sharply toward the end of last season.

On the training pitch, Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoken positively about the intensity Jose Mourinho has brought to pre-season at Valdebebas, describing the returning manager's standards as exceptionally high. Real Madrid finished second in LaLiga on 86 points, eight behind Barcelona, and Mourinho's task is to close that gap while resolving the squad's off-pitch tensions before the new season begins.