Ruben Amorim wants to take a Sporting Lisbon star worth £70million after being appointed as the new manager of Manchester United.
The 39-year-old was finally confirmed as the new Red Devils boss on Friday, with United paying the Portuguese club around £10.8 million to secure his services and shorten his notice period.
He will take charge during the international break, meaning interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will manage United for three more games before stepping aside for the new manager.
And according to The sunAmorim is wasting no time in getting started as he has set his sights on one of his current players as a target for Old Trafford.
The report suggests United would have to spend £70 million for the star, who could help his boss implement his favored back-three system at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim could approach current team Sporting Lisbon to sign one of their star players for Manchester United
Reports suggest United could pay £70 million 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 bring his favored back-three system to Old Trafford, which served him so well in Portugal, after winning two titles in four years with his current club.
That would mean United may need to strengthen in the centre-back area, and Diomande would allow them to do just that.
After coming through Midtjylland’s academy in the Netherlands, he joined Sporting in 2022 for £6.1 million. 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 alleged £70 million release clause is triggered.
Amorim is likely to deploy Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez in a first-choice back three, as well as Leny Yoro for £52m when he returns from injury.
Diomande joined Sporting for £6.1million but has flourished under the Portuguese over the past two seasons
He would probably be in the back three for Amorim, alongside Lisandro Martinez
However, other options include Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, all of whom could leave the club soon.
That could see Amorim enter the transfer market for more options in a bid to strengthen his squad.