Mourinho's Real Madrid Target Was Once Hailed 'Best Player' After Messi, Ronaldo: Report

New A.S. Roma manager Jose Mourinho may be looking at a potential signing who almost reached the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a report has said.

Mourinho is set to make his return to Serie A as he is now in charge of Roma. In his first summer with the club, the Portuguese tactician already has his eyes on a couple of targets.

Among the names being linked to a move to Roma is Real Madrid’s Marcelo. Mourinho is keen to land Marcelo as he sees the Brazilian as an ideal short-term replacement for Leonardo Spinazzola, who is expected to be sidelined for an indefinite time due to a torn Achilles tendon, Spanish outlet AS reported.

However, a transfer swoop for Marcelo might not be possible as the player is reportedly not open to leaving Los Blancos.

Marcelo has a year left on his current Real Madrid deal, but a fresh set of terms has yet to be offered.

While a move to Roma remains only rumors for now, the five-time La Liga champion hinted at his desire to reunite with Mourinho in the wake of the renowned manager’s sacking from Tottenham Hotspur.

"[His sacking] is a pity as he is a great coach and for him to be without a club is a pity,” Marcelo previously said of Mourinho. “It's not for me to say if he should come to Real Madrid, but I really appreciate all he did for me at this club.”

"How would I be worried about rumors or speculation about Real Madrid?” he continued. “It happens everyday, it is just part of our reality. I feel the same as when I arrived here to work as a coach, and further back as a player. That is to give everything in my job every day, that is my way of viewing football."

Marcelo has been with Real Madrid since 2006. Over the course of 15 seasons with the Spanish side, the 33-year-old managed to cop five domestic league and four UEFA Champions League titles.

It didn’t take long before Marcelo became recognized for his individual qualities. Among the most notable remarks he has ever received was when the late Diego Maradona hailed him as the “best player” in La Liga if Messi and Ronaldo will be removed from the equation.

“Removing [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo], Marcelo is the best player in the league right now,” Maradona said.