HITC understands that Ruben Amorim’s representatives have held ‘productive’ talks with Liverpool about the Portuguese replacing Jurgen Klopp this summer.
Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim has emerged as the Merseyside giant’s top target to become their new head coach, after Xabi Alonso confirmed he would be remaining at Bayer Leverkusen – deciding against joining either Liverpool or Bayern Munich.
HITC revealed last month that Liverpool’s hierarchy, led by Fenway Sports Group’s new footballing chief Michael Edwards, were doing their work on the sort of deal it would take to land Amorim – which included significant and detailed background checks on the 39-year-old.
HITC has been told that Amorim has confirmed via his representatives to both Sporting and Liverpool that he is ready to make the move to this summer, but personally he wants to concentrate on the club’s own push for the Portuguese title. They are currently four points clear at the top of the table.
Talks held with Ruben Amorim’s representatives
There are other clubs who have an interest in Amorim, such as Chelsea and Barcelona, and Liverpool’s interest has alerted them – but a deal is increasingly likely to take him to Anfield as sources have told HITC that talks have been ‘productive’ and ‘detailed’.
However, Liverpool sources have also insisted to HITC that no agreement is in place with Amorim or indeed Sporting – although given he has a release clause they can buy him out in the summer, although the intention would be to talk to the Portuguese giants ahead of any official approach.
Liverpool insist that their search for Klopp’s successor is ongoing, but HITC understands that Edwards wants an agreement in place sooner rather than later, as they feel it will allow the club to concentrate their efforts on the field as they bid to secure the Premier League title – rather than allow off-field distractions take centre stage during the run-in to the end of the season.
Amorim can’t give guarantees over his future
Likewise, Amorim wants to concentrate on Sporting but over the weekend he admitted he could not give any guarantees about his future.
“I cannot make any guarantees [that I will stay at Sporting next season],” Amorim is quoted by Ojogo -after being asked about his future following their in over rivals Benfica on Saturday.
“Sporting are dealing with their future and I can’t decide now because I gave my word, I can’t go back on that, so if I don’t win trophies, I’m going to leave Sporting.
“That’s been very clear since the start. I felt it was important to get that across to the players because we have to win. We want to win trophies and we’ll decide on those things later.
“I’m not worried about that right now. The future has been planned for quite a long time. We’re all together as a club and looking into all situations and what we want for next season, so that’s the main reason why I can’t guarantee anything.
“I said that to my players and as the leader I can’t go back on my word, as hard as that may be. We have to win trophies, we’re on track to do that and that’s why it’s so important to win our next game.”
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