Man Utd transfer target set to snub Man City after secret Ruben Amorim talks

Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande is said to be leaning towards a move to Manchester United rather than Manchester City as interest in him continues to grow.

The talented centre-back, 20, has admirers across Europe after impressing for Sporting since joining the Portuguese giants almost 18 months ago and is likely to be the subject of transfer interest in January.

After losing the services of head coach Ruben Amorim, Sporting will be desperate not to lose any of their top players in the winter window. And while their boss has promised not to raid his old club in January, Manchester United are expected to come calling next summer.

Viktor Gyokeres and Geovany Quenda have been linked with the Red Devils in recent weeks, but United also appear to be interested in Diomande, who is on the radar of their arch-rivals Manchester City.

However, Sky have suggested that United could have an edge in any transfer race thanks to Amorim. He is said to have already spoken to Diomande about the possibility of working together again at Old Trafford, with United keen to ensure they do not fall behind their rivals when it comes to their search for the sought-after youngster.

He is not the only Sporting alumni discussing signing the defender. Hugo Viana is set to become City's new sporting director and he also has plans to lure him to the Premier League for his new club.

However, Diomande is leaning towards United, and that is due to the Amorim factor, with the defender keen to continue developing under his tutelage.

It is believed that Diomande has an €80 million release clause written into his contract, meaning Sporting could make a big profit on a player they have signed from Danish side Midtjylland.

His agent, Luis Cassaiano Neves, turned to transfer speculation last year, saying Sporting was the perfect environment for his development. He told Portuguese newspaper A Bola: “He is extremely satisfied at Sporting, he is very focused on the club and the objectives for this season, including winning the league title and improving.”

“He knows that Sporting is the ideal club for this evolution. Sporting is the present and the future of Diomande and it is where he wants to evolve.”