Rúben Amorim is the favorite to take over the helm of affairs at Anfield this summer as Jürgen Klopp prepares to bow out.
Amorim has taken Sporting CP to the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga with the double very much in his side’s sights.
According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Amorim has a ‘verbal agreement’ with Liverpool, with Bayern Munich and Chelsea having been interested in acquiring him.
The process is not believed to be as far advanced as reported but the 39-year-old does have admirers at Anfield.
And it appears Liverpool aren’t the only one to be impressed with his coaching ability with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes singing Amorim’s praises during the recent international break.
Fernandes left Sporting for Old Trafford just two months before Amorim was appointed as manager in 2020. He still keeps an eye on his former club’s performances and believes his countryman can be a success in the Premier League.
“I hope he stays at Sporting. But if he takes the next step, I think all the qualities are there to be able to succeed in English, French, or Spanish football,” Fernandes told Portuguese outlet SportTV.
“Obviously, we know that the Premier League is probably the most desired. The qualities are there and he has everything to take the next step, in my opinion. But it will depend on the clubs, the directors, whether they want to pay Sporting’s release clause or not.”
There has been contrasting reports over how much clubs would have to pay to get Amorim out of his Sporting contract.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano told CaughtOffside that his official release clause is £26m for fellow Portuguese clubs, and £17m for teams from other leagues.
However it is reported that Amorim has a ‘verbal agreement’ in place with Sporting, that allows him to leave for a fee of £9m to a ‘big club’, with Liverpool fitting the bill in that sense.
