Real Madrid: Benfica ‘braced for Mourinho exit’ as Perez lines up four signings for €130m

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·7 de mayo de 2026

Real Madrid: Benfica ‘braced for Mourinho exit’ as Perez lines up four signings for €130m

Benfica are now bracing themselves to lose Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid after he became the strongest candidate for the job, according to reports.

Los Blancos have had a turbulent season with club president Florentino Perez making the decision to sack Xabi Alonso back in January.

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Perez immediately replaced Alonso with compatriot Alvaro Arbeloa but it was unclear whether the former Liverpool defender was brought in as permanent boss or as interim until the end of the season.

Whatever the initial decision it now seems clear that Arbeloa will be leaving with Real Madrid choosing between a couple of managers for the soon-to-be-vacant post.

David Ornstein of The Athletic recently revealed that Mourinho is Perez’s preferred candidate to take over in the summer after previously experiencing success under the Portuguese head coach, who is currently Benfica boss.

Another name consistently linked is Klopp but numerous reports have indicated that it is still unclear whether the former Liverpool manager would be willing to get back into football management.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Mourinho is “ready to go” if offered the Real Madrid job, while the La Liga side will only move for Klopp if the German puts himself back on “the market as a manager”.

Romano explained on his YouTube channel: “It is going to be a very special and busy summer at Real Madrid. We know there are several situations, players leaving, players arriving, players returning, and also the manager.

“For Jurgen Klopp, either he puts himself back in the market as a manager, or Real Madrid will not disturb his agreement with the Red Bull group. So it depends on Klopp.

“On the other side, Jose Mourinho is ready to go to Real Madrid, but that depends on Florentino Perez’s decision. So that is the situation.”

Mourinho’s exit to Real Madrid ‘is now starting to feel real’

And now Spanish newspaper AS claims that Portuguese giants Benfica are ‘braced for Mourinho’s possible exit’ to Real Madrid amid rumours he has expressed his interest in the Real Madrid post.

AS adds:

‘Benfica, fully aware of the movement around its current manager, is trying hard to keep him. The club wants Mourinho to continue the project he began last September – ideally for at least one more season. ‘But despite repeated efforts from club president Rui Costa and his team to extend Mourinho’s contract, talks have stalled. What once seemed unthinkable in Lisbon – Mourinho leaving after less than a year – is now starting to feel real.’

Whoever arrives as the new manager is set to get four new signings for €130m in the summer transfer window at a minimum as ‘the roadmap is set’ at the Bernabeu, according to other reports in Spain.

Manchester City’s Rodri, Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, Como’s Nico Paz and Osasuna’s Víctor Munoz are all set to arrive at Real Madrid in the summer as ‘the first four signings of the new project’.