Benfica manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly in ‘final negotiations’ to return to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as Real Madrid’s new manager at the end of the current season. 

If the deal is successful, it would mark the 63-year-old’s comeback to Real Madrid after 13 years following his departure in 2013 to join Chelsea. 

According to reports, discussions are ongoing between Real Madrid and José Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, with the former Manchester United manager said to be club president Florentino Pérez’s preferred candidate.

Other names, including United States manager Mauricio Pochettino, ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, current AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri, and France coach Didier Deschamps, are also under consideration.

Alvaro Arbeloa have been in charge of the Real Madrid first team on an interim basis since January after the sacking of Xabi Alonso, but they are aggressively in the market for a permanent replacement after ending their second consecutive season without a major title. 

The BBC reported that starting from Sunday, Real Madrid will have an opportunity to complete the deal to sign Mourinho for a cheap fee as he has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for €3m million (£ 2.6 million) up to 10 days after Benfica play their final match of the season. 

Speaking on Monday, Mourinho said he could not speak about his future with Benfica until after the last game against Estoril on Saturday. 

“There’s a match against Estoril, and from Monday onwards I’ll be able to answer questions about my future as a coach and Benfica’s future,” he said.