Gyokeres is first among seven Primeira Liga stars Ruben Amorim could sign

Ruben Amorim has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester United and the new manager could influence transfer strategies.

Although Amorim will initially have to work with the squad he inherits, he hopes to make transfers in January and next summer.

The 39-year-old, who has worked at Casa Pia, Braga and Sporting CP, will have extensive knowledge of players in the Primeira Liga.

We take a look at seven Primeira Liga players Amorim could potentially bring to Old Trafford in 2025.

Geovany Quenda

One of three Sporting CP players on this list, Quenda made his debut under Amorim in August and impressed in his role on the right wing.

The 17-year-old has scored four goals in his first 17 games, including an assist in Sporting’s 4-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League.

“I’ve already said everything I need to say about Quenda,” Amorim said. “He is a very talented, very physically strong, very focused, down-to-earth kid. “This is very important for a young player.”

TEAMtalk has confirmed that United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Juventus are keen on signing Quenda as they see him as a player who could become a superstar in the future.

United’s interest in Quenda is understood to predate Amorim’s arrival, but their new manager will undoubtedly give them an advantage in the race for his signature.

Despite promising not to sign any Sporting players in the January transfer window, Amorim also ruled out a summer raid on his former club.

Alvaro Carreras

Carreras, a United academy graduate, won the Under-23 Player of the Year award for the 2021/22 season but did not feature for the club’s first team.

The left-back joined Benfica on a permanent deal in the summer after spending time on loan at Preston North End, Granada and Benfica.

He has been in the Benfica team almost all the time this season and also played in the 4-0 Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

The 21-year-old has since been linked with Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid and Liverpool. TEAMtalk sources confirmed that his performances at Benfica were also monitored by United.

Amorim is suitable for the left-back position and with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia having injury problems, United need to strengthen their options in this area.

United could bring the Spain Under-21 international back to Old Trafford for just £16.7m as they have included a buy-back clause in his contract.

Tomás Araújo Álvaro Carreras #SLBFCP • #LigaPortugalBetclic • #EASPORTSFC pic.twitter.com/S7Dn34ts3N

— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) November 10, 2024

Antonio Silva

Amorim looks set to implement his preferred 3-4-3 formation at United and at least one new centre-back will be added to his shopping list.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans’ contracts expire at the end of the 2024/25 season, leaving only Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt among the centre-back options.

The manager has the potential to pounce on arch-rivals Sporting for Antonio Silva, who has an £85.1m release clause in his Benfica contract.

Silva helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga title in their breakthrough season in 2022/23 and has now made over 100 appearances for the club.

The right-footed centre-back played in the back three for Portugal and one of his strengths is his understanding of space and ability to read the game.

In Silva and Yoro, United will have two of the most promising young centre-backs in world football and they could form a long-term partnership.

Morten Hjulmand

United will also rebuild their midfield in 2025, with Christian Eriksen out of contract at the end of the season and Casemiro facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford.

Hjulmand was due to move to United in the summer and Amorim could now reignite their interest in the Denmark international.

He helped Sporting CP win the Primeira Liga title in his debut season in 2023/24 and was subsequently appointed club captain by Amorim.

“Of course Ruben was one of the reasons why I came to Sporting,” Hjulmand said. “When you work with Ruben you see a clear picture. This was important when I joined Sporting; First, understand how he plays.

“The way he manages the team on and off the pitch is unlike anything I have seen in my short career. I think Manchester United are in safe hands with Ruben.”

The 25-year-old midfielder has a £66.5 million release clause in his Sporting CP contract and has previously stated that he wants to play in the Premier League.

Alan Varela

Varela joined FC Porto from Boca Juniors in the summer of 2023 and has since established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Primeira Liga.

The Argentina international helped his team beat Sporting CP in the 2023/24 Taca de Portugal final and the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira at the start of the current season.

He has also been impressive in the Champions League, turning in a Man of the Match performance in FC Porto’s 1-0 win over Arsenal earlier this year.

The 23-year-old football player, who has been compared to Argentinian Javier Mascherano, has a release clause of £58.3 million in his contract.

However, United will need to move quickly to secure his signature, as the combative midfielder has recently been linked with Liverpool and Manchester City.

Viktor Gyokeres

United have scored just 12 goals in 11 Premier League games in the 2024/25 season and Amorim will need to resolve his goalscoring issues.

The manager could consider reuniting with Gyokeres after helping the Sweden international become one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers.

He joined Sporting CP from Coventry City in the summer of 2023 and has since scored 66 goals and 19 assists in 68 appearances in all competitions.

The 26-year-old has been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain but could decide to follow Amorim to Old Trafford.

“It is very sad that he is leaving, but of course we understand his decision,” Gyokeres said. “Of course it meant a lot to me that he gave me this chance and allowed me to improve so much.”

Reports have claimed that Sporting are willing to sell him for £63 million next summer; This is much less than the £83.6 million release clause written into his contract.

The technique at the end of Gyökeres #UCL pic.twitter.com/1whx1FhShC

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 11, 2024

Samu Aghehowa

While Gyokeres will undoubtedly be Amorim’s top target for the centre-back position, Aghehowa could be a potential backup option.

The 20-year-old formerly known as Samu Omorodion He looked set to move from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea in the summer, but the transfer fell through at the last minute.

He instead joined FC Porto in a deal worth £12.7 million and made his debut for the club in a 2–0 defeat against Sporting.

The forward has now scored eight goals in eight matches in the Primeira Liga and also has four goals in the Europa League, including Porto’s 3-3 draw with United.

According to reports from Spain, Chelsea will rekindle their interest in Aghehowa next summer but will face competition from United.

READ MORE: What Man Utd players say about Ruben Amorim: ‘He’s a great coach’