Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho, is in “the final stages” of negotiations to return to Real Madrid.

Mourinho is set to take over at the Bernabeu ahead of next season.

In a tweet on Wednesday, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, claimed the deal will be ratified by Madrid president, Florentino Perez.

READ ALSO:UCL: ‘I Hope They’re Not Committing Suicide’ – Mourinho Slams Critics After Benfica Beat Real Madrid

Romano wrote: “José Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid now advancing to the final stages. Talks are progressing well.

“Final approval from Florentino Pérez still needed + likely to wait until the elections…

“…but Mourinho is ready and talks have been productive.”

Mourinho will take over from Alvaro Arbeloa, who was brought in after Xabi Alonso was dismissed in January.

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has explained why he made six changes to the team to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Guardiola has left out the likes of Erling, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki for the game at the Etihad.

City are looking to move within two points of league leaders Arsenal, before playing Chelsea in the FA Cup final in Saturday.

Guardiola said: “We have to make decisions before and after it depends on results whether we judge it nicely or the opposite. We have to take it.

READ ALSO:EPL: Cole Palmer Told To Leave Chelsea

“People don’t believe me, but the players who sometimes don’t play, we trust them otherwise they would not be here.

“We have today, then after three days we have to travel to London, which is always a long, long trip. We face Chelsea who have a long, long week waiting just for that game. They don’t have to travel.

“Then after we have travel to Bournemouth, one of the top form teams. Everyone has to play these three games.”

Barcelona and Argentina legend, Lionel Messi, has opened up on his relationship and long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo following years of intense competition between the two football icons.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo faced off at the pinnacle of football for many years.

Fans watched with bated breath as “La Pulga” and CR7 consistently tried to outdo one another.

In a recent interview on Argentine television, Messi reflected on his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.

READ ALSO:LaLiga: Why Messi Will Never Return To Barcelona – Xavi

Messi and Ronaldo encountered each other more frequently as adversaries during their tenures at Barcelona and Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018.

“What transpired was a remarkable sporting rivalry,” Messi told Polloalvarezok.

“It is a natural occurrence in football. I was with Barcelona while he was with Real Madrid, and we were competing for everything, both as a team and individually, which led to constant comparisons between us.

READ ALSO:Lionel Messi Names 10 Best Young Players Currently

“However, our relationship was always positive and respectful, and everything that unfolded was strictly athletic. There was nothing personal.

“We did not often meet outside matches or award ceremonies, and we maintained a cordial relationship.

“Now we find ourselves in different phases of our lives, but what transpired was indeed a remarkable sporting rivalry.”