JOSE MOURINHO has already spent £138million on Benfica stars down the years – and that tally is set to get close to £200m with his hunt of Gedson Fernandes.
The Portuguese boss, 56, is becoming a seasoned veteran at raiding the Primeira Liga giants.
Mourinho could raid Benfica AGAIN with the signing of Gedson Fernandes
In fact, Mourinho has swooped for Benfica’s top players during stints with Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
And now, the Special One is at it again, as he prepares to finalise a deal to bring Fernandes to current club Tottenham.
Fernandes is set to join initially on an 18-month loan deal worth around £4m – with a £45m option to make that move permanent in the summer of 2021.
All in all, Mourinho will have spent £187m on Benfica stars during his career – including the likes of Angel Di Maria and Victor Lindelof.
While in charge of Chelsea, the boss brought Nemanja Matic back to the club for a second stint in a deal worth around £20m in 2014.
At Real Madrid, Mourinho signed compatriot Fabio Coentrao in a £27m deal, while he also signed Di Maria as Bernabeu boss for £30m.
Sticking with the Benfica craze at the Old Trafford helm, Mourinho also signed Lindelof in a £30m swoop.
Benfica have been raided time and time again, with this best XI of departing stars worth £408m alone
Now at Spurs, Mourinho is yet to sign a player, with all of the summer transfers being undertaken by former boss Mauricio Pochettino.
But how fitting it would be for the Special One to break his Tottenham transfer duck with a raid on Benfica – the club he first managed during his illustrious 20-year career, in 2000.
Mourinho lasted just 11 games at the club after a contract row with club bosses… perhaps these raids are all some sort of petty revenge?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk