MU have new secret weapon in race for transfer target with £84m release clause

Ruben Amorim could be key for Manchester United in their bid to sign Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon following his recent move to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils moved quickly to install Amorim following the sacking of Erik ten Hag last month, and the 39-year-old will see his first game in charge against Ipswich Town this weekend.

The arrival of Amorim has breathed new life into a fan base that has seen more than its fair share of disappointments in recent years. But he will need help in the transfer market if he is to improve United's fortunes on the pitch.

There has been a lot of talk about Sporting Lisbon's star striker Viktor Gyokeres in the wake of Amorim's move to Manchester, but another of the club's strikers is also apparently on United's wishlist.

17-year-old Quenda broke through under Amorim – and it turned out he had already caught the eye of United before they lured his manager to Old Trafford at the start of this month.

Portuguese outlet A Bola reports that United have previously held discussions about Quenda with Sporting and, now that Amorim is at the helm, are keen to seal a deal for the talented young forward 'as soon as possible'.

It is noted that Quenda has a €100m (£84m) clause in his contract. However, it appears United will try to prize him away for a much lower fee, with the report stating that any initial bid from the Premier League giants is expected to be worth more than €40 million. .

While it remains to be seen how much United are willing to pay for the prodigious teenager – who doesn't turn 18 until May – their appeal will only grow stronger with Amorim now in charge.

And while Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has tried to cut costs and act more cautiously in the transfer market since taking control of the club, his previous comments in which he outlined he would rather sign the next big thing than established stars , that United could do that. in this case you need to collect the money needed to land Quenda.

Whatever happens, Amorim has already promised that he will not raid his old club until the summer after quitting Sporting mid-season.

When quizzed earlier this month about signing Gyokeres for Manchester United, he said: “Gyokeres costs £100 million. It's very complicated. I won't sign any player from Sporting in January. But that's another story.”