Ruben Amorim instructs agent on potential £17m Liverpool approach

Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has instructed his agent over a potential £17m approach from Liverpool. The Reds need a new manager.

Sporting manager Ruben Amorim was one of the first names thrown into the mix when Jurgen Klopp announced he was stepping down as Liverpool boss. Along with Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi, Amorim is one of the most likely candidates to take over.

However, there is a long, long way to go before that happens. Record reports that there has been absolutely no approach whatsoever from Liverpool - nothing to suggest they're about to make Amorim an offer.

On top of that, the Sporting boss has told his agent to ignore any approaches before the season is done. He's focused on his current team and Amorim doesn't want any distractions.

It's unclear whether that works in his favour or not. Liverpool aren't expected to appoint a new manager before the season is done, though that doesn't necessarily mean they won't approach anyone before then.

A sporting director will come first but he may well want negotiations started with a new manager ASAP. If so, Amorim risks putting himself out of the running with his stance.

Though, Alonso will likely have the same stance as Bayern Leverkusen compete in the Bundesliga and Europa League. The Spaniard is likely the Reds' no.1 target and if he wants to wait, the whole process may wait with him.

One thing to note, though, is that Amorim would cost around £17m to sign. That's his release clause for foreign clubs in his contract and comes as a result of Sporting paying SC Braga around £8m to get him in 2020.

The world-record fee for a coach is £21.5m, paid by Chelsea to Brighton for Graham Potter. Amorim's fee certainly doesn't seem too grand in comparison to that, given how Potter worked out at the Blues.