Jose Mourinho’s key Benfica contract clause frees him up for Real Madrid switch, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur eye Kim Min

Jose Mourinho’s key Benfica contract clause frees him up for Real Madrid switch, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur eye Kim Min-jae - Euro Transfer News

In Monday’s Euro Transfer News round-up, a key clause in Jose Mourinho’s Benfica contract could free him up for a swift return to Real Madrid this summer, while Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as a rival to Enzo Maresca to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Elsewhere, Napoli hope to keep Scott McTominay beyond his current deal, while Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are chasing Kim Min-jae.

Mourinho contract clause revealed

Jose Mourinho’s exit from Real Madrid was, as with many of his departures, a little acrimonious.

However, ever since the sacking of Xabi Alonso and his temporary replacement by Alvaro Arbeloa, there has been a suggestion that the Portuguese manager could be brought back to the Bernabeu.

Mourinho’s time at Madrid was defined by his effervescent rivalry with Barcelona and Pep Guardiola, and ultimately, he pushed his side all the way to a La Liga victory before things started breaking up.

Now, AS reports that in his contract with Benfica, he is free to give notice soon at the end of the season and walk away from the club - giving Madrid a clear run at him to bring him back to Spain.

The paper explains: "Mourinho's shadow still looms large over Real Madrid, and therefore over Arbeloa himself, due to the impression he left on Florentino Perez and a segment of the fanbase.

"And at a time when the dressing room is showing signs of feeling very strong against its coaches (even prompting Xabi Alonso's departure), the possibility of the Portuguese manager's return is being discussed.

"Well, there is a clause that, although not currently being considered by the Madrid board, does put Mourinho within reach.

"The Portuguese manager, who has a two-year contract in Lisbon, can leave Benfica without any financial penalty within ten days of the final match of the current season.

"He will be able to join any team without paying a release clause, which brings him closer to Real Madrid or any other club that might require his services, or at least facilitates the transfer.

"Mourinho intends to stay at Benfica and build a project more suited to his style of play for next season, but, as these same sources tell AS, a call from Real Madrid could change everything. Mourinho still carries the Madrid club within him."

De Zerbi linked with City job

Igor Tudor is now in place at Tottenham Hotspur, at least until the end of the season. The Croatian head coach stepped in as interim boss in north London following the sacking of Thomas Frank after a string of bad results and growing supporter unrest.

There had been suggestions that Roberto De Zerbi was in line for a swift appointment instead, given he was free from his Marseille obligations, but instead he would now have to wait for the Spurs gig, or indeed another job.

Reports from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo have him as one of the candidates to replace Pep Guardiola, as speculation continues to grow that the Spaniard will call time on his Manchester City spell in the summer.

De Zerbi had also reportedly been in the frame to take over at Manchester United - another one for the summer - and former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has repeatedly been cited as the leading candidate for the Etihad gig.

The paper writes: "De Zerbi, on the list to replace Guardiola. Roberto De Zerbi could find a new job this summer.

"The Italian is among the candidates to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City if, as seems likely, the Catalan coach leaves the Etihad Stadium in June.

"Although Manchester City wants him to stay, Pep appears ready to end his successful spell at the club."

Napoli want extended McTominay deal

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna is keen to extend Scott McTominay’s deal at the club as the Scottish midfielder emerges as a talismanic presence for the Serie A champions.

The 28-year-old former Manchester United man is a hero at the club and his current deal runs out in 2028, and there could be talks that soon come to fruition as both sides want a contract extension.

Corriere dello Sport reports that Manna is now keen to get a deal over the line as the Serie A side look to kick on under Antonio Conte, with a league title looking unlikely this season.

The Italian paper writes: "McTominay isn't just the present: he's the future. A future the club is trying to build with him through a contract extension until 2030: earlier this week, his agent Colin Murdock traveled from England and met with sporting director Manna to lay the foundations for an extension beyond the current 2028 expiry.

"The immediate present, in short, isn't the best. But Napoli, as we were saying, is trying to build a future based more than ever on McTominay's face and beastly physique: his agent arrived in Naples, sat down with Manna, and chatted about news, prospects, numbers, and years.

"Dates: the current contract expires in 2028, but the shared idea between club and player is to continue together and strengthen their relationship, extending it until 2030."

Chelsea and Spurs monitor Kim

South Korean central defender Kim Min-jae is currently happy at Bayern Munich, but Bild journalist Christian Falk believes that he could be moved on in the summer.

Dayot Upamecano recently committed to a new contract at the Bundesliga champions, meaning Bayern could be open to letting the experienced centre-back leave if a good offer comes in.

Both Chelsea and Spurs have been credited with an interest in the defender, with the latter looking to replace defenders such as Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin.

For Chelsea, they might want to make a move after Liverpool beat them to Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.

CFBayern writes: "Both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have shown interest in Kim Min-jae, and they have kept him in their shortlist.

"Spurs could be looking to sign a new centre-back next summer, but a lot will depend on who their next permanent manager will be.

"Both Spurs and Chelsea could be closely following Min-jae’s situation. The defender is happy at Bayern, but he is their third-choice defender after Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah.

"Min-jae has still made 10 starts in the Bundesliga, and a further four appearances have come from the bench. He has also made six appearances in the Champions

"After Upamecano signed a new deal at the club, Bayern could be open to selling Kim Min-jae next summer if they receive a handsome transfer fee.

"While Min-jae is happy at Bayern, a potential move to either Spurs or Chelsea cannot be completely ruled out."

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