Liverpool have reportedly tabled a three-year contract offer to Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim.
The Merseysiders are on the lookout for a new manager as current boss Jurgen Klopp will be stepping down from his post at the end of the season after eight-and-a-half memorable years at Anfield.
Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, have recently been focused on making changes behind the scenes, with ex-Reds sporting director Michael Edwards becoming the club's new CEO of Football last month, while Richard Hughes has agreed to become their new sporting director.
With the 2023-24 campaign edging closer to its conclusion, the appointment of a new manager is now high on Liverpool's agenda and a host of names have been linked with the vacancy.
Bayer Leverkusen head coach and former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Klopp, but the Spaniard recently confirmed his intention to remain with the soon-to-be-crowned Bundesliga champions next season.
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Amorim a leading target for Liverpool
Sporting boss Amorim has since emerged as a leading contender to succeed Klopp at Liverpool, and according to Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepulveda, the Reds have submitted a contract offer to the 39-year-old.
A three-year deal is said to be on the table for Amorim and 'financial terms are almost agreed' between both parties, who remain in 'positive' negotiations.
Amorim was recently made aware of interest from both Liverpool and Barcelona, but it is understood that the Catalan giants have now decided to remove the Portuguese boss from their managerial shortlist.
Liverpool therefore appear to have been presented with a clear run at appointing Amorim as their next manager, as Bayern Munich - who are also in the managerial market - are believed to be prioritising a move for either Roberto De Zerbi or Julian Nagelsmann.
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What has Amorim said about his Sporting Lisbon future?
Amorim first responded to rumours linking him with the Liverpool job at the end of last month shortly after Alonso announced his decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Portuguese insisted that he is "focused on Sporting" and is "very happy" and "proud" to manage the Primeira Liga giants, who currently sit four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand on second-placed Benfica.
However, Amorim was then questioned again about his future last Friday and admitted that he "can't guarantee" that he will stay in charge of Sporting for the 2024-25 campaign.
Following a brief spell in charge of Braga, Amorim was appointed Sporting boss in March 2020 and has since taken charge of 215 games in all competitions, winning 152, drawing 32 and losing 31.
Amorim, who successfully led his Sporting side to a 2-1 home victory over Benfica last weekend, is under contract at the Estadio Jose Alvalade until June 2026.
Oliver Thomas
