Ruben Amorim adds former player with £66m release clause to Man Utd transfer wishlist

Ruben Amorim has encouraged Manchester United bosses to pursue a move for Sporting winger Francisco Trincao in the summer.

United made one addition to Amorim’s senior squad in the January transfer window, with Patrick Dorgu joining from Lecce – in a deal worth around £29million – to become the Portuguese’s first signing at Old Trafford.

But results have failed to pick up since Dorgu’s arrival and United’s FA Cup elimination at the hands of Fulham means the Europa League represents the club’s only remaining shot at silverware this season.

Amorim has pleased with supporters to be patient for a turnaround in fortunes and there has been some level of understanding amongst the fanbase given the 40-year-old is yet to fully make his mark on the squad in the transfer market.

The Red Devils are, though, expected to invest heavily in new recruits when the summer transfer window opens for business and Amorim is looking at a number of his former Sporting players as possible targets.

The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Geovany Quenda and Ousmane Diomande are all believed to be firmly on United’s radar and Trincao is another Sporting star ‘held in high regard’ at the Theatre of Dreams, according to A Bola.

Amorim and Hugo Viana – Manchester City’s newly appointed sporting director – played an instrumental role in luring Trincao to Sporting from Barcelona in 2023 -but both are now threatening to steal the winger away from Lisbon.

Sporting are aware of the growing interest in Trincao and are keen to tie the 25-year-old down with a bumper new contract at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Trincao’s current deal with the Primeira Liga leaders – which contains an eye-watering €80million (£66m) release clause – runs through to the summer of 2027.

The report states that the attacker’s former side, Barcelona, are entitled to 50 per cent of the value of any future sale. 

Trincao has enjoyed an excellent campaign in the Primeira Liga this term, racking up eight goals and ten assists for top-of-the-table Sporting.

Only Gyokeres has outscored the Portugal international for Sporting this season, with the Swedish sensation netting 25 times in 23 games.

But both Trincao and Gyokeres are currently sidelined with injury problems and the pair’s absence has threatened to derail the club at what is a crucial stage of the campaign.

‘We have had some injuries that have made it difficult for us to make selection decisions, Sporting head coach Rui Borges told reporters in the wake of the side’s 3-1 win over Estoril.

‘The absence of Gyokeres and Trincao is simply management. We have an important game [against Casa Pia AC] on Sunday for the championship.

‘Morten Hjulmand and Ousmane Diomande are also unable to play.

‘Viktor has been gaining rhythm. Trincao is fatigued and we have to be careful with him.’

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