Real Madrid are set to advance in talks with Jose Mourinho next week despite the Benfica boss denying any approach.
GMS understands Mourinho's agent, Jorge Mendes, has already held positive discussions with Real President Florentino Perez and further meetings are scheduled for after Sunday's El Clasico.
Mourinho still insists he's had no direct contact with Real Madrid, adding that won't change until the end of the season.
Mendes Working on Real Madrid Move Despite Mourinho Denial
Jose Mourinho
"I had no contact whatsoever, neither with the President, nor with any of the important people in the structure," said Mourinho. "And by my own decision, a decision similar to others I've made throughout my career, especially now, in the final stages of the season, I don't speak to anyone.
"I haven't had any contact with Real Madrid, I haven't, and until the last league game against Estoril, I won't either. After that, there's a one-week window where I'll have the freedom to speak to whomever I feel I should speak to, but all the stories that have come out, demands, meetings, it's all speculation."
Despite Mourinho publicly downplaying a Benfica exit this summer, Mendes continues to work on a return to the Bernabeu. Perez, who is driving the next Real manager appointment, will ultimately take the final decision.
Who Are the Other Real Madrid Manager Candidates?
Mauricio Pochettino
63-year-old Mourinho is not the only candidate, but he is currently the leading choice of Perez. USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, Red Bull head of soccer, and former Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, and Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri are other possibilities, but all three are yet to receive formal contact.
Part of the reason why Mourinho has downplayed talks is because he is allowing Mendes to work in the background, and should he leave Benfica he wishes to do so on amicable terms.
Mourinho's Benfica contract runs until 2027, but his contract contains a €3m release clause. Benfica would like Mourinho to stay but have a succession plan in place. This has been the case for some time because when Mourinho joined, the Portuguese club also felt he could depart for the Portugal national team after the 2026 World Cup.
Sources in Portugal suggest Fulham boss Marco Silva is one candidate under consideration to replace Mourinho if he joins Real Madrid, although Fulham still have a three-year contract extension offer on the table and are waiting on an answer.
Agreeing terms with Real is not expected to be an issue for Mourinho, but aligning on recruitment plans will also be key to any move as well.
Perez, who is handling the process personally, will also take time before formally offering the role to Mourinho or any other candidate, knowing the next hire is key as Real look to emerge stronger from a difficult season that's seen them sack Xabi Alonso and put Álvaro Arbeloa in charge.
Real look set to lose out on the LaLiga title to Barcelona and were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League to Bayern.