Mourinho is expected to be formally announced as Real's new coach in the next few days and speculation has already begun over which players he will look to bring in to shape the team in his own image.

Gerrard - who Mourinho tried to sign from Liverpool while he was Chelsea manager - and Lampard, who played under the Portuguese coach at Stamford Bridge, are two that Mourinho admires.

Mourinho told Spanish sports daily AS: "I like players in the final part of their careers.

"I love to have some players who are 33 or 34 years old...they are players that you buy and you won't recover this money, but if they give you good performances for two or three years you've got your money's worth.

"Both (Gerrard and Lampard) are great players who always give everything."

Another England international, Ashley Cole, has also been linked with a move to Real.