Rubén Amorim could try to get three players from Sporting Lisbon after landing as coach of Manchester United.
The Portuguese starts working at Old Trafford on November 11 after United reached an agreement to stay with the two-time Portuguese league champion.
And even though his predecessor Erik ten Hag faced a lot of criticism for signing his old friends from Ajax, Amorim could try to do the same next summer.
He ruled out making offers for Sporting stars in January, but could try to fill his cart with three aces next summer.
the sun reports that United could spend £175m on a striker, centre-back and central midfielder and that Sporting bosses are awaiting the raid.
Incoming Man United manager Ruben Amorim could try to bring three stars from Portugal
Deadly striker Viktor Gyokeres, with an £84m release clause, tops the list
Former Arsenal target Gonçalo Inácio, centre-back, is also part of the trio of candidates
Midfielder and loyal Arsenal fan Morten Hjulmand completes the trio that Amorim could play
It is not surprising to hear the name Viktor Gyokeres among the trio. The former Coventry striker scored 43 goals last season and already has 18 this season.
Gyokeres, 26, has an £84million release clause and has refused to rule out a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal also mentioned among his suitors.
‘Go with Amorim to Man Utd? I don’t know… I’m here,’ he said.
‘As you can see, I enjoy Sporting. It’s nothing I think about. I’m just sad that he (Amorim) is gone. We wish him all the best.”
In addition to Gyokeres, United could approach centre-back Gonçalo Inacio, 23, and midfielder Morten Hjulmand, 25.
United were already targeting Inácio during the summer, according to Portuguese outlets Record and O Jogo. Arsenal were also reported to be interested in him in December 2023 and he has a £51m release clause.
Inácio has won two Portuguese league titles, two League Cups and one Super Cup since joining Sporting’s first team in the 2020-21 season. He also earned 12 international caps for Portugal and participated twice in Euro 2024.
While primarily a central option, Amorim has also used him as a left-back.
Sporting leads the Portuguese league with 10 wins in 10 games this season
Amorim has led Sporting to two league titles and has broken a 19-year streak for the giants.
Hjulmand, meanwhile, has been touted as a “Casemiro replacement”, although he still has a long way to go to live up to the Brazilian’s pedigree.
He has won a title with Sporting after spending the last few seasons with the Portuguese giants. The Dane began his career at Admira Wacker in Austria before joining Lecce in Italy.
The Sun claims it would cost around £40m.
Hjulmand scored a great goal at Euro 2024 against England.
However, there is one detail that United should be careful of. The midfielder is a lifelong Arsenal fan and even has a tattoo of the club’s crest on his upper left arm.
If Sporting fear that Amorim’s departure will derail their season, they may take some comfort from his assurances that he does not want to poach stars in January.
“I’m not going to receive any Sporting players in January,” he said.
“Gyokeres costs 100 million (euro) and is very difficult.”
More to follow.