Ruben Amorim ‘lining up surprise move’ for ex-Man City star as first Man United signing -Reports

Ruben Amorim ‘lining up surprise move’ for ex-Man City star as first Man United signing -Reports

Incoming Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim could try to persuade his new bosses to try experienced defender Danilo from Juventus in the January transfer window

If new manager Ruben Amorim has his way, Manchester United may shortly make a move for Juventus captain Danilo during the January transfer window.

Amorim is already considering potential signings to bolster his new team as he takes over from interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy on Monday.

Amorim has been frequently linked to moves for his top Sporting Lisbon players ever since he was chosen to succeed Erik ten Hag, with star striker Viktor Gyokeres being the most obvious target.

In a news conference, Amorim previously acknowledged that he could not have imagined acquiring Gyokeres for United during the January transfer window.

He admitted, “I’m not going to get any players from Sporting in January.” “Gyokeres is very difficult and costs €100 million.”

The new United boss will need to be more realistic in the upcoming transfer window – and reports in Italy suggest he could be eyeing a move for Danilo. The 33-year-old Juve captain is out of contract at the end of the season and is already looking for a new club.

Danilo’s agent has reportedly been speaking to other sides, with a view to finding a move in 2025, and Amorim is interested. The Brazil international is hugely experienced and Amorim thinks he would improve United’s backline immediately for a relatively low cost.

Juve could be tempted to sell in January, given they would lose Danilo for free if he runs down his contract until June. It remains to be seen whether INEOS would sanction such a move, given it would go against their usual transfer policy of signing younger players with high potential and resale value.

INEOS forked out an initial fee of £52m to sign Leny Yoro from Lille in the summer and also signed Matthijs de Ligt for Ten Hag from Bayern Munich for around £38m. Yoro has been out injured since pre-season and Ten Hag and Van Nistelrooy have been forced to rely on veteran centre-back Jonny Evans, with Harry Maguire also struggling with injury.

Danilo captains Juve and Brazil and would arrive with Premier League experience, having won two titles in two years at Manchester City between 2017 and 2019. He left City for Juventus and has spent five years with the Italian giants, winning Serie A and two Coppa Italias.

Amorim has played with a three-man defence at Sporting and could need players suited to his preferred formation when he touches down at Old Trafford. The 39-year-old had wanted to stay put with Sporting until the summer, but United told him they wouldn’t wait, forcing his hand.

“United came along, paid the clause, above the clause, and the chairman defended his interests,” Amorim explained.

“I never discussed anything with the chairman. The only request I made was that it would be at the end of the season and they told me that wasn’t possible, that it was now or never.”