Jose Mourinho Targets One of His Best Former Players for Benfica in Double Deal
Jose Mourinho is the new manager of Benfica after succeeding Bruno Lage.
The former Wolves manager was sacked following his side’s defeat against Qarabag in their first Champions League match of the season.
Mourinho’s return to Portuguese football comes after he was sacked as manager of Fenerbahce following their failure to qualify for the league phase of Europe’s elite competition.
Mourinho famously guided Porto to a Champions League crown before going on to manage European giants like Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
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If reports in the press are to be believed, The Special One could turn to one of his former stars in a sensational double deal as he bids to get Benfica’s season back on track.
Journalist Ekrem Konur has claimed Mourinho wants to bring Al Ittihad striker Karim Benzema to Portugal when the transfer window reopens.
Benzema and Mourinho enjoyed a successful relationship while at Real Madrid, with Mourinho instrumental behind the club's move to bring the Frenchman to the Spanish capital.
The 37-year-old may be in the twilight of his career but he has not lost his finishing ability.
He scored a hat-trick in his only appearance in the Saudi Pro League fixture so far this season in a 5-2 win over Al Akhdoud.
Konur believes that Mourinho and Benfica could sign the experienced forward for a fee in the region of €5 million to €7 million.
That is not all, though.
Mourinho’s new side are reportedly also keen to sign French defender Ferland Mendy from Los Blancos.
Mendy joined Madrid from French giants Lyon in 2019 but has fallen out of favour and is arguably Real's third choice in the position behind summer signing Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia.
The left-back made 32 appearances for Madrid last term, providing two assists as the Spanish giants relinquished their La Liga title to bitter rivals Barcelona.
Benfica are currently second in the Portuguese League, five points behind leaders Porto with a game in hand after five fixtures.
They bounced back from their defeat against Qarabag in the Champions League by beating AVS 3-0 in Mourinho’s first game in charge.
Mourinho was linked with a move to the Premier League before taking the Benfica job, with West Ham reportedly among the clubs interested.
Topics: Jose Mourinho
Jonathan Bray