Real Madrid 'inform Jose Mourinho of dressing room drama' as Benfica 'approve £5.2m switch'

Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly been informed of what has gone on inside the Real Madrid dressing room this season. And it has even been suggested Benfica have now approved his return to the Santiago Bernabeu, where he is the favourite to take over this summer. According to Spanish newspaper AS , Mourinho, a firm favourite to return to the dugout, has been informed about the goings‑on at the club, including Madrid's disastrous campaign by their standards after sacking Xabi Alonso earlier this year. Alvaro Arbeloa replaced him, stepping up from the reserves after working in the academy since 2020, but the season is still set to end without silverware. Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Barcelona confirmed the La Liga title for their biggest rivals, leaving Madrid 14 points behind Hansi Flick's side. The report adds that the arrival of a new manager is viewed as the 'starting point of the rebuild' in what has been described as the 'club's worst season in two decades.' Much has been made of the dramatic saga last week, surrounding the physical confrontation between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde made headlines, leaving the latter in hospital with a cranioencephalic trauma diagnosis. Both players were fined a combined €1million (£863,905) following the conclusion of the disciplinary case against them, and they were ordered to pay €500,000 (£431,953) each as well as apologise to each other, the club, their team-mates, the coaching staff, and the Madrid fans. The club's initial statement read: "Real Madrid CF announces that, following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team's training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. The club will provide updates on the resolutions of both proceedings once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed." The following statement, released last Friday, stated: "Real Madrid CF announces that, following the events that led to the opening of a disciplinary case yesterday against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, both appeared today before the case investigator. During the appearance, the players expressed their deep regret for what happened and apologised to each other. "They have also apologised to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff and the fans, and both have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept whatever sanction the club deems appropriate. Given these circumstances, Real Madrid has decided to impose a financial penalty of five hundred thousand euros on each player, thus concluding the corresponding internal procedures." FOLLOW OUR REAL MADRID FB PAGE! Latest news and more on our dedicated Facebook page Meanwhile, Turkish journalist Yagis Sabuncuoglu reports that the Portuguese coach would now be allowed to leave Benfica after May 17, once the Liga Portugal season concludes. Benfica are still battling local rivals Sporting CP for second place, which would secure Champions League qualification. Sabuncuoglu also suggested Mourinho is in negotiations with Madrid, which could see Benfica earn €6m (£5.2m) if an agreement is reached with the Spanish giants. Addressing the speculation during his pre-match press-conference on Sunday, Mourinho said : "There's one thing I would like to reiterate - in football it is not the professionals who are interested in leaving or not. When something happens, it is the clubs that are interested and start procedures to try to hire people. They keep talking about Real Madrid but I keep running away [from it] honestly. "I didn't have any contact with the structure and, by my decision, especially now in a final weeks of the season, I won't talk to anyone. I haven't had any contact with Real Madrid. Until the game with Estoril, I won't either. "Then there is a one-week window where I will be free to talk to whoever I think I should. But stories of demands, meetings, it's all speculation." The 'Special One' managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga in record‑breaking fashion in the 2011/12 season with 100 points, as well as the Copa del Rey the year before. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.