Jose Mourinho has taken a major towards becoming the next Real Real Madrid manager as the Spanish giants seek a replacement for Alvaro Arbeloa.
Representatives from the Bernabeu held discussions with the Portuguese coach's entourage earlier this week to accelerate negotiations over a potential comeback.
General director Jose Angel Sanchez is understood to be the principal figure driving efforts to bring the 63-year-old back to the Spanish capital.
Mourinho has already conducted an initial video conversation with the club, during which he outlined his conditions for returning.
Jose Mourinho has had a video call with Real Madrid chiefs over becoming their new manager
|GETTY
The current Benfica manager is seeking a two-year agreement with full autonomy over squad selection, according to the reports.
He also wishes to install seven coaches of his choosing, though president Florentino Perez has reportedly suggested incorporating Arbeloa into that backroom team.
Mourinho is demanding a direct reporting line to the medical department and wants fitness coach Antonio Pintus removed from his position.
The Portuguese tactician has stipulated that Perez must serve as his exclusive point of contact, bypassing both adviser Anas Laghrari and general manager Sanchez.
He is also pushing for control over pre-season arrangements, hoping to avoid exhausting tours to the Middle East or North America.
Jose Mourinho retains a close relationship with Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez and could be brought back to restore order | GETTYThe turbulent atmosphere within the Madrid dressing room has bolstered arguments for appointing a manager with Mourinho's forceful character.
Physical confrontations between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde during training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday culminated in the Uruguayan midfielder requiring hospital treatment.
The club has initiated disciplinary proceedings against both players, though Valverde has disputed claims that his teammate struck him.
This latest controversy compounds what has been a deeply troubled campaign for Los Blancos, who face the prospect of consecutive seasons without major silverware following their Champions League elimination by Bayern Munich.
Mourinho's extensive experience handling volatile squad dynamics throughout his career makes him an attractive option.
Fede Valverde was taken to hospital following a serious physical confrontation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni at Real Madrid's training facility earlier this week | GETTYThe ultimate decision on whether to appoint Mourinho lies with Perez, whose relationship with the coach remains strong despite the demands being tabled.
Should Madrid proceed, they would need to pay compensation to Benfica, where Mourinho has a release clause of just under €3 million that becomes activatable within the first ten days following the season's conclusion.
The club intends to formally pursue a new manager once their title hopes are mathematically extinguished, which could occur as early as Sunday if they lose to Barcelona.
Alternative candidates under consideration include Mauricio Pochettino, whom Perez also admires, and France boss Didier Deschamps, valued for his connections to the squad's French contingent.