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

Ruben Amorim could prove to be the key for Manchester United in their bid to snare Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon following his recent switch to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils moved swiftly to install Amorim after sacking Erik ten Hag last month and the 39-year-old will oversee his first game at the helm against Ipswich Town this weekend.

Amorim's arrival has reinvigorated a fanbase which has had more than its fair share of disappointment in recent years. But he will need help in the transfer market if he is to improve United's fortunes on the pitch.

Plenty of talk has centred around Sporting Lisbon's star striker, Viktor Gyokeres, in the wake of Amorim's move to Manchester, but another of their forward's is also seemingly on United's wishlist.

Quenda, 17, broke through under Amorim - and it turns 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 report that United held discussions over Quenda with Sporting previously and, with Amorim now at the helm, are keen to tie up a deal for the talented young forward 'as soon as possible'.

It's noted that Quenda has a €100million (£84m) clause in his contract. It seems, however, as though United will attempt to try and prise him away for a far lower sum, with the report mentioning that any initial bid from the Premier League giants is expected to be worth in excess of €40million (£33.5m).

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Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag) Manchester United via Getty Imag)

While it remains to be seen how much United would be willing to pay for the prodigious teenager - who doesn't turn 18 until May - their appeal is only likely to be strengthened given Amorim is now in charge.

And while Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been seeking to cut costs and act more prudently in the transfer market since taking control at the club, his previous comments outlining that he'd rather sign the next big thing than established stars indicate that United could, in this instance, stump up the cash required to land Quenda.

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

When he was quizzed about signing Gyokeres for Manchester United earlier this month, he said: "Gyokeres costs £100million. It's very complicated. I will not take any of Sporting's players in January. But that's another story."

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