Jorge Mendes gets to work as Jose Mourinho outlines his No.1 target for Real Madrid

Super-agent Jorge Mendes is set to play a key role in securing Jose Mourinho's first signing of his second spell as Real Madrid manager.

Mourinho is set to be announced as Real's new manager imminently after the club confirmed the departure of previous head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Fabrizio Romano reported that Mendes and Real director general Jose Angel Sanchez, as well as chief scout Juni Calafat, held a 'long meeting' on Tuesday evening to discuss the finer details of Mourinho's appointment.

READ MORE: When Jose Mourinho will be announced as new Real Madrid manager after 'long meeting' last night

The Portuguese's return to the Bernabeu was a key campaign promise made by Florentino Perez, who was re-elected as the club's president on Sunday.

Perez won 65 per cent of the vote against opponent Enrique Riquelme, and stated afterwards that he was 'proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a madridista like Jose Mourinho'.

Mourinho will once again work closely with his agent Mendes, who has represented him since brokering his move from Porto to Chelsea back in 2004.

Mendes' GestiFute agency represents some of the most high-profile players on the planet, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Lamine Yamal and Vitinha.

Another one of his clients is Bernardo Silva, who will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of June.

The 31-year-old midfielder, who will play for Portugal at this summer's World Cup, has been linked with moves to Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and the Saudi Pro League.

Bernardo Silva played his final game for City on the last day of the Premier League season (Image: Getty)

But Real are set to steal in with a late approach - and Mendes will lead the chase.

Real Madrid make approach for Bernardo

That's according to Spanish outlet AS, who claims that Mourinho wants players who are 'dedicated to the team' and can 'help him a great deal on the pitch, but above all, in the dressing room'.

It was claimed by Esdario last month that Mourinho had laid out 10 major demands in order to take the Real Madrid job - with one of them involving 'full control of the squad and dressing room'.

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho's 10 major demands to return as Real Madrid manager for second spell

Bernardo has been one of City's main leaders throughout his nine-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, and was appointed club captain at the beginning of the 2025/26 season.

AS report that Mourinho immediately identified the Portugal star as his number one target during talks with Real, and that the player has 'decided to put everything on hold' in wait for Mourinho to be appointed.

That appears to tally with comments made by Bernardo last week, in which he ruled out making a decision about his future before the World Cup - despite having been expected to make a decision before the tournament got underway.

"Barcelona is one of the options, but I've not made any final decision yet," he told reporters.

"There are many options, and I have respect for all interested clubs.

"In the end, I'm going to try to find a team where they want me, where I feel they really love me. This is very important and, the day I make my decision, they will know."