Ruben Amorim could benefit Man Utd and Sporting in January. (Image: Getty)
could do his former club, Sporting, a tremendous favour in their pursuit of their first Liga Portugal title defence in 70 years during the January transfer window. The new head coach hurt Sporting by abandoning his successful four-year reign for but may find a way to benefit both clubs this winter.
Amorim’s exit will have been welcome news for rivals Porto and Benfica as they seek to crumble his green and white empire and reclaim dominance in Portugal.
But the 39-year-old is reportedly looking to hamper Sporting’s foes from afar in January while simultaneously upgrading his United squad.
According to , Amorim wants to sign Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo and could push to complete a £50million deal in the New Year.
The highly-rated 22-year-old has been a stalwart in Lisbon this season and earned his first senior Portugal cap during the November international break.
Araujo, a product of Benfica’s academy, was reportedly targeted by Crystal Palace and Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, but interest was thwarted.
Yet, the 6ft 2in defender remains on the lips of European heavyweights, having started in the league and Champions League for Bruno Lage’s side this term.
The report adds that Amorim will meet with United chiefs today, during which recruitment, including a potential swoop for Araujo, will be on the agenda.
Tomas Araujo is a Ruben Amorim target. (Image: Getty)
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Araujo – capable of playing as the central or right centre-back – has a physical presence and boasts a strong passing range, making him an ideal fit for Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
He is considered the most exciting prospect to emerge from Benfica’s youth conveyor belt since ‘s Ruben Dias. His £83m release clause emphasises his reputation.
Amorim has inherited a defensive injury crisis that has plagued United for the last two seasons.
In his first game in charge at Ipswich Town, he fielded Noussair Mazraoui alongside Jonny Evans and in his back three.
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Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, and Victor Lindelof were all absent from Portman Road due to injuries.
In last night’s 3-2 win against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Martinez returned to action, easing Amorim’s concerns.
But it would be no surprise if the United boss targets fresh blood in defence at the earliest opportunity.
Maguire, Lindelof and Evans are on the wrong side of 30 and are out of contract at the end of the season – although the former has a 12-month extension option in his deal.