Ruben Amorim wants to take a £70million-rated Sporting Lisbon star with him after being appointed as 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 £10.7m to secure his services and cut his notice period short.
He will take charge during the international break, meaning interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead United for three more games before stepping aside for the new manager.
And, according to The Sun, Amorim is wasting no time in getting to work having set his sights on one of his current players as a target he wants to take to Old Trafford.
The report suggests that United would have to fork out £70m for the star, who could help his boss implement his favoured 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 £70million 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 spell at Sporting.
It is expected that Amorim will take his favoured back-three system with him to Old Trafford, which has served him so well in Portugal having won 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.
Having made his way through the academy at Midtjylland in the Netherlands, he joined Sporting in 2022 for £6.1m. Since then, he has gone onto make 66 appearances and has been a regular under Amorim.
It is, however, reported that the Portuguese club would only let him go if his supposed £70m release clause is activated.
Amorim is likely to field Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez 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 last two seasons under the Portuguese
He would likely line up in a back three alongside the likes of Lisandro Martinez for Amorim
Other options, however, are Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans – all of whom could leave the club soon.
That may lead to Amorim dipping into the transfer market for more options in a bid to strengthen his side.