Ruben Amorim 'speaks with Sporting CP star' to try hijack Man City transfer

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has spoken with Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande to try and convince him to join the Red Devils over fellow suitors Manchester City, a report has claimed.

Amorim, who moved to Old Trafford during the November international break, has already publicly confirmed that he will not try to sign any of his former players when the January transfer window opens, but he is expected to pursue reunions with a handful of stars at the end of the season.

Striker Viktor Gyokeres has dominated the headlines, but according to Sky Sport Switzerland, it's Diomande who has emerged as a target for Amorim.

The report claims City boss Pep Guardiola has identified Diomande as a priority target to fix his defence and incoming sporting director Hugo Viana, who currently works at Sporting and will move to the Etihad in the summer, is already working on bringing the 20-year-old with him.

Aware of the interest of his new rivals, Amorim is said to have made contact with Diomande to discuss a transfer to the red side of Manchester instead.

Diomande recognises the role Amorim has played in his career so far and is understood to see a reunion as a smart move. Indeed, it is claimed that the Ivory Coast international is currently leaning towards a transfer to United.

City are expected to try and recover some ground with contact in the January transfer window, with United left hoping that the defender will wait until the summer before making any decisions on an exit from Sporting.

Meanwhile, Amorim is also reported to be interested in young winger Geovany Quenda, whose €100m (£83m) release clause could make things complicated for United.

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