Ruben Amorim ‘pictured boarding plane to London made available by West Ham’s owners’… as Hammers make ambitious move to land the Liverpool target to replace David Moyes

Liverpool goalkeeper Ruben Amorim has reportedly been pictured boarding a plane to London for talks to become West Ham’s next manager.

Reports earlier today suggested the Hammers were looking to make an ambitious move to replace David Moyes with the Sporting Lisbon boss.

Amorim was the favorite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield since former player Xabi Alonso opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for another season.

Moyes is out of contract this summer and Mail Sport understands that West Ham have held talks with representatives of Amorim and former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.

CNN Portugal have now reported that Amorim has flown to London on a plane organized by West Ham’s owners to meet them about becoming the next manager at the London Stadium.

West Ham are in talks with Amorim over the possible replacement of David Moyes as manager

Amorim is the favorite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool at the end of the season

It is said he left Portugal accompanied by businessman Raul Costa after Sporting’s training on Monday.

A photo circulating on social media shows Amorim reportedly on his way to the plane for his flight to the English capital.

The Portuguese leaders have two days off before returning to training on Thursday as they prepare for a big clash with rivals Porto next Sunday.

Moyes stated in February that he has been offered a new contract and that the decision whether he stays or leaves is in his own hands.

If he leaves the club, CEO Tim Steidten will be tasked with finding his successor.

Steidten has drawn up a list of potential suitors, with Amorim, Lopetegui, Lille head coach Paulo Fonseca and Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna all under consideration.

The 39-year-old has taken Sporting to a second Portuguese league title in four seasons.

Amorim could be available to English clubs for £12.8 million.

Amorim is on the verge of winning his second Portuguese league title with Sporting

West Ham have also reportedly held talks with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui

Portuguese reports suggested he had agreed a deal with Liverpool, but those close to the club played this down and were keen to say he was just one name on the shortlist.

Liverpool’s new CEO Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes are said to be ready to go ‘brave over popular’ after fan favorite Alonso ruled himself out of the race.

Lopetegui is seen as a more viable option for West Ham. The 57-year-old has been out of work since leaving Wolves in the summer but is keen to return to work as a manager as soon as possible.

Talks about the future of West Ham’s managerial position come after their 5-2 thrashing of Crystal Palace last weekend. They were also knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Europa League last week, despite a brave effort against Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen.

West Ham were eliminated from Europe last week, losing 5-2 to Crystal Palace last week

“I’m so disappointed for the supporters who came in today and to be honest I’m ashamed to sit here and speak on behalf of the team and the way they performed, but I’m the manager,” Moyes said.

‘I have to say that in my entire career I haven’t had many teams that have played like that.

“Maybe we’ve lost a little bit of the tough culture, the pride in making sure we didn’t disappoint and be difficult to play against and the tough opposition. We weren’t one of them.’

Moyes declined to answer questions about his future but said he would have “no problem” if the decision was taken out of his hands.