Ruben Amorim could try to bring three players with him from Sporting Lisbon after touching down as Manchester United manager.
The Portuguese begins work at Old Trafford on November 11 after United reached an agreement to pinch the two-time Portuguese league champion.
And despite predecessor Erik ten Hag facing much criticism for signing his old Ajax pals, Amorim could look to do the same next summer.
He has ruled out making any bids for Sporting stars in January but could try and load his trolley with three aces next summer.
The Sun reports that United could splash £175million on a striker, centre-back, and central midfielder and that Sporting chiefs expect the raid.
Incoming Man United boss Ruben Amorim could try to bring three stars with him from Portugal
Deadly striker Viktor Gyokeres – with a £84m release clause – is top of the reported list
Former Arsenal target Goncalo Inacio, a centre-back, also makes the trio of candidates
Midfielder and staunch Arsenal fan Morten Hjulmand completes the trio Amorim could pinch
It is no surprise to hear the name of Viktor Gyokeres among the trio. The former Coventry forward hit 43 goals last season and already has 18 this term.
Gyokeres, 26, has a release clause of £84m and has refused to rule out a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal also named among his suitors.
‘Going with Amorim to Man Utd? I don’t know… I’m here,’ he said.
‘As you can see, I enjoy it at Sporting. It’s nothing I think about. I’m just sad about him (Amorim) leaving. We wish him all the best.’
Alongside Gyokeres, United could approach centre-back Goncalo Inacio, 23, and midfielder Morten Hjulmand, 25.
United were already targeting Inacio over the summer, according to Portuguese outlets Record and O Jogo. Arsenal were also reported to be keen on him in December 2023 and he has a reported release clause of £51m.
Inacio has won two Portuguese league titles, two League Cups, and a Super Cup since stepping up to Sporting’s first team in the 2020-21 season. He has also amassed 12 caps for Portugal and featured twice at Euro 2024.
While he is principally a central option, Amorim has also deployed him at left-back.
Sporting are top of the Portuguese league with 10 wins from 10 matches this season
Amorim has led Sporting to two league titles and broke a 19-year duck for the giants
Meanwhile, Hjulmand has been touted as a ‘replacement for Casemiro’ although he has a long way to living up to the Brazilian’s pedigree.
He has won one title with Sporting after spending the last couple of seasons with the Portuguese giants. The Dane started his career with Admira Wacker in Austria before joining Lecce in Italy.
The Sun claims that he would cost around £40m.
Hjulmand scored a stunner at Euro 2024 against England.
However, there is one detail United should be cautious 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 are fearful of Amorim’s departure derailing their season, they may take a crumb of comfort in his assurances that he does not want to poach stars in January.
‘I’m not going to get any players from Sporting in January,’ he said.
‘Gyokeres costs 100 million (euros) and it’s very difficult.’
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