Jose Mourinho has a reported secret clause that will allow him to ditch Benfica for Real Madrid at the end of the season on the cheap.

The former Madrid manager is closing in on a sensational return to his former side, with Madrid president Florentino Perez personally sounding him out as a replacement for Alvaro Arbeloa.

It's expected that talks will accelerate at the end of the season, with Mourinho currently on the verge of an invincible season with Benfica in Portugal.

But he is understood to be Real Madrid's preferred candidate - and a move may be made easier by the fact there is a clause in his contract that allows Madrid to do a deal for around £2.6m if they can get it done within 10 days of Benfica's final game of the season, according to Spanish publication AS.

That game will be next weekend, when they take on Estoril on May 16 - essentially giving Madrid until May 26 to complete a deal on the cheap. 

Mourinho previously managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, leading the club to one LaLiga title, a Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. His time at the club provided numerous hard-fought battles with rivals Barcelona, who were led by Pep Guardiola.

Xabi Alonso was sacked after just eight months earlier this season, with Arbeloa then promoted from his role with Real Madrid's B-team. Mourinho's Benfica contract runs until the summer of 2027.

As revealed by Daily Mail Sport, 63-year-old Mourinho believes he has unfinished business at Madrid where he lost three consecutive Champions League semi-finals.

He would reject any advances from Chelsea this summer to go back to London for a third time in favour of a return to Spain and Perez wants Mourinho presented before the World Cup.

Mourinho will also be given the final word on the decision as to whether to sell Aurelien Tchouameni or Federico Valverde this summer after their training ground bust-up in the week.

He is said to be of the view that the squad is unbalanced, and he wants to strengthen a number of positions in the summer.