Overview
- Benfica announced that José Mourinho has agreed to join Real Madrid and said the club formalised the deal with a €15 million compensation, a figure published in the Portuguese club’s official notice.
- Real Madrid formally confirmed Álvaro Arbeloa’s departure from the first‑team coaching staff and has been preparing Mourinho’s arrival while final club formalities are completed.
- Multiple outlets report Mourinho travelled to Madrid for talks with Real executives and his agent Jorge Mendes as the club and coach discuss strategy and timing for his start.
- Reports from reputable transfer journalists say Real and Mourinho plan to prioritise defensive signings this window with targets such as Josko Gvardiol and Riccardo Calafiori being discussed while at least one high‑value approach has caused internal disagreement.
- Benfica named Marco Silva as Mourinho’s successor and media have circulated unconfirmed staffing ideas for Mourinho’s backroom team, including a report that he could bring former Real defender Pepe as an assistant.