Ruben Amorim blasts reports of Liverpool agreement
- Reports in Germany claimed Liverpool had agreed personal terms with Amorim
- Sporting CP boss hit out at reports ahead of Gil Vicente clash
- Liverpool yet to interview Amorim but could make offer soon
By Tom Gott
Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim has laughed off reports he has struck a deal to become the new Liverpool boss.
It was reported in Germany earlier this week that an agreement between Amorim and Liverpool had been reached but, as 90min revealed, talks with the 39-year-old's agent have not reached such a conclusion at this point.
During Thursday's press conference ahead of the meeting with Gil Vicente, Amorim was asked whether there was any truth to the rumours, and he moved to shut the speculation down in emphatic fashion.
"To put an end to everything, this is the last time I will talk about my future," he began. "There was no interview, much less an agreement [with Liverpool].
"The only thing we all want here is to be champions for Sporting, and nothing will change that. I'll say it again: I'm Sporting's coach. There was no interview with any club, no agreement with any club.
"I am focused, as always, on defending my club. And since I have nothing to say, there will be no interviews or agreements with the Sporting CP, whether for [Liverpool] or another club."
90min understands Liverpool have spoken with Amorim's agency and financial terms may have been discussed, but sources insist this is natural at this stage of the search for Jurgen Klopp's successor and no final decision has been reached.
Should Liverpool choose to try hire Amorim, they would need to agree a compensation fee with Sporting. The boss does have a €20m release clause for non-Portuguese clubs but Liverpool would likely try to negotiate a discount.
Amorim does have an agreement with Sporting that he can leave for €10m if approached by a 'top European club', but the vague nature of this term could complicate things. Multiple sources believe it refers to an elite side playing Champions League football which, by definition, Liverpool are not after last season's struggles saw them drop into the Europa League instead.
The future of Amorim could also have a huge impact on Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, whose agent recently confessed would find it "difficult" to stay with the club if Amorim departs this summer.
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