Ruben Amorim wants to take a £70million Sporting Lisbon star with him after being named Manchester United’s new manager.
The 39-year-old was finally confirmed as the new Red Devils boss on Friday, with United paying the Portuguese club around £10.8million to secure his services and shorten his notice period.
He will take charge during the international break, meaning interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead United for three more games before handing over to the new manager.
And, according to the sunAmorim wastes no time and gets to work after having set his sights on one of his current players as a target he wants to take to Old Trafford.
The report suggests United would have to shell out £70million for the star, who could help his boss implement his favored back-three system at Old Trafford.
Rubén Amorim could approach the current Sporting Lisbon to sign one of their star players for Manchester United
Reports suggest United could pay £70m to release the defender from his current contract.
It is suggested that Ousmane Diomande is of interest to Amorim, having coached the centre-back during his time at Sporting.
Amorim is expected to take his favored back three system to Old Trafford, which has served him so well in Portugal after winning two titles in four years with his current club.
That would mean United might need to strengthen in the central area of defence, and Diomande would allow them to do just that.
After coming through the Midtjylland academy in the Netherlands, he joined Sporting in 2022 for £6.1m. Since then, he has made 66 appearances and has been a regular under Amorim.
However, it is reported that the Portuguese club would only let him go if his reported £70million release clause is activated.
Amorim is likely to field Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martínez in a first-choice back three, as well as £52m summer signing Leny Yoro when he returns from injury.
Diomande joined Sporting for £6.1m but has flourished over the past two seasons under the Portuguese.
He would likely line up in a back three alongside players like Lisandro Martínez for Amorim.
Other options, however, are Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, who could leave the club soon.
That may lead Amorim to turn to the transfer market for more options in a bid to strengthen his squad.