Exclusive: European giants eye Marco Silva after Real Madrid twist

Benfica are plotting a move to appoint Fulham boss Marco Silva to replace Real Madrid-bound Jose Mourinho, sources have told Football Insider.

The 48-year-old could be available this summer as he has yet to put pen to paper to extend his stay at Fulham beyond the end of the season.

His potential availability is believed to have put a number of clubs on alert, but Benfica are the latest to show an interest in luring him away from Craven Cottage.

Mourinho is currently in charge at the Portuguese giants and they have been extremely reluctant to lose him, but he is now closing in on the Real Madrid job.

As a result, work is already underway to identify his replacement, and Silva’s work in the Premier League with Fulham has seen him emerge as a leading contender.

"I don't think Marco Silva gets enough credit!"

Ashley Young on Fulham's consistency over the last five seasons under Marco Silva, and what's next for the Portuguese manager 🗣️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/A7Pdu37VHe

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Crystal Palace are eyeing Silva to be their next manager as he edges towards leaving Fulham.

However, the opportunity to step up and manage a team with the European pedigree of Benfica could tempt to Fulham boss back to his native Portugal instead.

Silva is believed to be eyeing a step up from Fulham as he feels he has taken them as far as they can go, with the Cottagers currently sitting in 11th place.

Benfica, meanwhile, have missed out on the Portuguese title despite being unbeaten after 33 games with the potential of finishing the season as invincibles.

Silva would be tasked with returning the title to Benfica, beating Sporting and Porto in the process, and the chance to win silverware could prove appealing.

Real Madrid have been searching for a new manager to replace interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa, with talks accelerating as the end of the season nears.

Football Insider revealed on 10 May that Mourinho is Real Madrid’s top target and appears to be edging closer to becoming their next permanent manager.

Los Blancos had also considered Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as one of their targets, with suggestions he could be tempted to leave Villa Park and return to Spain.

As a result, sources say Villa hope Mourinho will return to Madrid and ease any speculation over Emery’s future as they plan for a return to the Champions League next season.

The Spaniard has been tipped as an ideal contender for the Real Madrid job given his European pedigree and success both in Spain and England, but that move is now unlikely.

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