Jose Mourinho hatches masterplan involving Wout Weghorst

Lisbon—Jose Mourinho, unbeaten in the Primeira Liga since taking charge of Benfica, is already plotting the next step in his Portuguese renaissance. Despite an impressive domestic run, his side sit behind both Sporting CP and Porto, and with Sporting holding a game in hand, the title appears to be slipping away this season. The solution, Mourinho believes, could lie in a familiar face from his Manchester United past.

Sources in the Netherlands tell Het Parool that the 61-year-old coach has identified Ajax striker Wout Weghorst as the attacking reinforcement required to push Benfica over the line in 2025-26. Weghorst, whose short-term loan at Old Trafford yielded two goals in 31 appearances, is out of contract at Ajax in June and free to negotiate with suitors immediately.

Benfica’s pursuit of a traditional target man follows the collapse of their January move for Italy’s Lorenzo Lucca, who opted for Nottingham Forest. Weghorst’s aerial presence and link-up play fit the profile Mourinho craves, even though the pair have never shared a dressing room.

Competition is mounting. FC Twente, where former United boss Erik ten Hag now serves as sporting director, had been tipped as the striker’s next destination. Yet Mourinho’s interest could sway the 31-year-old, who is also fighting for a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad amid stiff competition from Joshua Zirkzee.

For now, Weghorst remains undecided. Benfica, however, have made their intentions clear: Mourinho wants his man, and Lisbon could be the stage for the striker’s latest career reboot.

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