Jose Mourinho: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez keen on reunion with former boss but no approach yet

Club president Florentino Perez is thought to be keen on Jose Mourinho returning to Real Madrid but Sky Sports News understands no approach has been made for the Portuguese manager.

Perez is heading the search for a new boss at the Bernabeu, with Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January, expected to be replaced at the end of the season.

Perez remains close to Mourinho and is thought to be keen on a reunion with the 63-year-old, who won the LaLiga title at Real Madrid with a record 100 points 14 years ago.

However, there has been no official contact so far with the Benfica boss, who is in no immediate hurry to decide his future.

Benfica, who are seven points behind league leaders Porto, are three games away from becoming the only team in Europe to achieve an invincible league season. Three wins would also secure a second-place finish in the Portuguese Primeira Liga ahead of local rivals Sporting, and the prospect of Champions League football next season.

Mourinho is aware of all the speculation surrounding his future, including suggestions that he's top of Real Madrid's wanted list, but is understood to want to concentrate on those two big targets with Benfica.

Mourinho has also been linked with several other top clubs and the Portugal national team job. Portugal will co-host the World Cup in 2030.

Staying at Benfica is also an option. His contract runs until the summer of 2027, with a break clause at the end of this season which can be triggered by either side.