ไทย
English
中國人
José Mourinho's transfer to Real Madrid could carry a price tag of up to €15 million ($17.5 million), following the expiration of the manager's contractual release clause at Benfica.
Mourinho is widely anticipated to make his return to Madrid this summer and is said to have already put pen to paper on an agreement to succeed Álvaro Arbeloa. However, the deal will only be activated should Florentino Pérez emerge victorious in this month's presidential elections.
The vote is scheduled for June 7, with sitting president Pérez facing off against 37-year-old green energy businessman Enrique Riquelme.
Although Pérez has publicly dismissed reports of a pre-agreed deal with Mourinho, it is widely understood that the 63-year-old has committed to a three-year contract to head back to the Bernabéu.
Mourinho's New Price Tag
However, with Mourinho still contracted to Benfica, The Athletic reports that luring him away from the Portuguese capital could cost up to €15 million ($17.5 million). That substantial figure marks a dramatic increase from earlier estimates of Mourinho's buyout clause, which had been cited at anywhere between €3–6 million ($3.5–7 million).
That clause, however, was only valid for a window of 10 working days following the conclusion of Benfica's season, and it lapsed on Friday, May 29.
Madrid were ultimately unable to finalize an official agreement before that deadline due to the presidential elections that Pérez himself called unexpectedly on May 12.
While Mourinho is firmly aligned with Pérez's camp, Riquelme has made clear he plans to pursue a different managerial path should he secure the backing of Real Madrid's 100,000-strong membership.
When asked about Mourinho on Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Riquelme said: "I think he's running with the other candidate. He's a great coach, but I think right now Real Madrid needs a project that delivers results from day one. We need to create something sustainable over time. I don't think that he's what's needed right now."
Separately, Riquelme has claimed to have already struck an agreement with a different manager.
When Could Mourinho Be Announced?
Should Pérez claim victory in the June 7 election as widely anticipated, Mourinho could be unveiled as Madrid's new head coach shortly thereafter, with the club eager to have everything settled ahead of the World Cup.
The 79-year-old incumbent has yet to publicly link Mourinho to his campaign, but the arrangement appears all but confirmed. The sole obstacle remaining would be an unexpected defeat for Pérez at the polls.
The Athletic reports that Mourinho is set to bring his Benfica assistants Joao Tralhao and Pedro Machado to Madrid, along with backroom staff members Roberto Merella, Antonio Dias and Nuno Santos.
While Riquelme has been more forthcoming about his transfer ambitions for the squad this summer, Pérez has yet to publicly identify specific signings he would pursue if re-elected. Reports have nonetheless indicated that Mourinho is keen on strengthening at right back, central defense, and central midfield.