Jose Mourinho set to extend his Roma contract | OneFootball

A long-running saga involving Jose Mourinho’s future at Roma has been among the headline topics in European football in the past few months.

Despite recently casting doubt on his long-term future at the Stadio Olimpico following a heartbreaking Europa League defeat to Sevilla, the ‘Special One’ is close to pledging his allegiance to the Serie A outfit.

Having earned absolute trust from the Giallorossi president Dan Friedkins, the 60-year-old is now close to penning a contract extension in Rome, with his current deal running out in 2024.

According to Tuttosport, Mourinho could soon renew his contract until 2026 as the club hierarchy looks to back their manager in the upcoming transfer window.

The former Manchester United boss helped Roma win the Europa Conference League title in his first season at the club and narrowly missed out on Europa League glory in 2022/23.

Although his decision to sacrifice Serie A ambitions to pursue another piece of continental silverware backfired on his side, as they failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, he will likely stay put.

Roma finished sixth in Italy’s top-flight last term, seven points adrift of fourth-placed AC Milan, after dropping points in seven of their final eight league fixtures.

However, Friedkins holds Mourinho in high regard and is unwilling to let him join Paris Saint-Germain, whose sporting director, Luis Campos, is a big-time admirer of the Portuguese tactician.

Not only will he remain in Italy, but the club chiefs are ready to reinforce his squad in the coming months to aid his bid to challenge higher up the table next year.

The idea is to build a competitive squad without spending big, meaning Roma will base their recruitment strategy on pursuing quality players approaching the final days of their contracts.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Evan N’Dicka, Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans and Lyon’s Houssem Aouar are on the club’s shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window.

With all three players set to leave their clubs as free agents, the Italians are ready to seize the opportunity and lure them to Rome.