The Portugal defender has been told he can leave the club if they receive a suitable offer for his services, a process that has been hastened by Jorge Mendes, the player’s agent, alerting Real Madrid and Barcelona to his availability. As the increasingly powerful Mendes also represents Mourinho, it is inconceivable that he is acting without the manager’s blessing.

Chelsea paid FC Porto £19.85 million for Carvalho in the summer of 2004 and, although they are willing to swallow a substantial loss, it is understood it will take a fee of £10 million for him to be released with two years remaining on his contract. Mendes called both Spanish clubs this week to offer them Carvalho, with Madrid his most likely destination. Real tried to sign the 27-year-old two years ago before being outbid by Chelsea and, as they approach the end of what will be their third successive season without a trophy, there is little doubt that their defence needs strengthening.

Carvalho was one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers in his first year in England, bringing a calm authority and often immaculate sense of timing alongside John Terry’s rugged leadership at the back, but he has not recovered from falling out with Mourinho at the start of the season.

After being left out of Chelsea’s opening league game, away to Wigan Athletic, the Portugal international launched a public attack on his manager, claiming he did not understand his methods, to which Mourinho responded by giving him a £100,000 fine and suggesting he needed an IQ test. “Ricardo worked with me for four years and doesn’t understand me? OK, maybe we should send him for an intelligence test,” Mourinho said.

He returned to the starting line-up for a Champions League tie against Anderlecht in September after a month on the sidelines, but has not redeemed himself in the eyes of the manager.

Carvalho has been conspicuous by his absence in recent weeks, not even making Chelsea’s squad for the past three matches, and Mourinho hinted at problems in the camp when he outlined his summer plans last week. “We change three players,” he said. “Three players who want to play more and are not very happy in the club, or some players I am frustrated with and have nothing to give to us.”

Mourinho has been frustrated with his most expensive defender for much of the season, although Carvalho’s loss is likely to be someone else’s gain. With Mourinho insisting he is happy with the choice between Asier Del Horno and Wayne Bridge at left back — despite Chelsea’s continued interest in Ashley Cole — William Gallas may finally be allowed to play in his favoured position of centre back. With the France player flirting with the idea of joining Juventus as he prepares for contract talks in the summer, such a reassurance may help to persuade him to stay at Stamford Bridge, although given Chelsea’s resources, they are just as likely to fill any hole by dipping into the transfer market.

Mourinho remains a big admirer of Ledley King and may make another move for the Tottenham Hotspur defender. King was on Mourinho’s shortlist but was discounted as too expensive before he bought Carvalho. The other players likely to leave Chelsea in the summer are fringe squad members such as Carlton Cole and Glen Johnson, with Hernán Crespo considering a return to Italy for personal reasons.