Mourinho was on the bench as Serie A side Fiorentina held La Liga giants Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw on Saturday.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has expressed his desire to have Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior in camp as the La Liga giants prepare for the new season.
The Portuguese tactician lamented the absence of key players from the Spanish outfit’s pre-season tour on Saturday whilst addressing journalists following their 2-2 draw with Fiorentina.
Vinícius Jr’s future with Real Madrid has become a hot topic this summer, as the Brazil international has been locked in negotiations to extend his contract with the club for over a year.
With neither camp willing to budge on their demands, Premier League champions Arsenal have moved to register their interest in the 24-year-old.
As it stands, Vinícius Jr has entered the final months of his current deal.
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Addressing pressmen regarding Vinícius’s return date, Mourinho stated that he expects him, Brahim Díaz, and Bernardo Silva to report for pre-season training on Monday, following their extended holidays after the World Cup.
He did, however, express concern over their absence, stating that he would have loved to have them in camp for three full weeks.
“I’m worried about not having the other players,” Mourinho said.
He added: “I’d like to have three weeks with all of them, but it’s not possible. Vini, Brahim, and Bernardo Silva will arrive on Monday.”
