Man United 'preparing significant bid' for £44m defender who Ruben Amorim dubbed "very talented"
Man United have been linked to signing a Ruben Amorim favourite in the January transfer window.
Man United have picked up their form under manager Ruben Amorim, pushing themselves up to ninth in the Premier League with a win against rivals Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Anfield.
Amorim’s side came under a lot of pressure during the game, with the likes of Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw coping well with Liverpool’s talented attacking threat. United have now conceded just one goal in two games and are looking much more solid defensively.
However, depth at the centre-back position isn’t ideal, especially considering that Amorim likes to play a back three, so it could be worth United adding more defensive depth in the January transfer window ahead of the back end of the season.
Man United linked to signing Ousmane Diomande
The Red Devils have virtually been linked to every good Sporting CP player since Ruben Amorim moved to Old Trafford, with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Morten Hjulmand and Ousmane Diomande all tipped for United. Gyokeres joined Arsenal, and Hjulmand and Diomande remain at the Portuguese side.
However, fresh reports in Spain are suggesting that United could re-ignite their interest in Diomande in the January transfer window. According to Fichajes, United are eyeing up a move for the 21-year-old defender, with a price of £44m estimated for a potential January move. The report states United are ‘preparing a significant bid’.
The Ivorian has made just three appearances for Sporting so far this season, but was a favourite under Amorim, despite his age. The current United boss handed Diomande 69 appearances before he moved to Man United. He was quoted during his time at Sporting by the Daily Mail in 2023, praising the defender.
Amorim said: “Diomande plays with both feet, and is very physically strong. He is a very talented player and most people don’t know how many clubs were after him. The truth is that we managed to get him because we took a risk by telling the kids that they’re coming to play for the first team, he’s got a lot of scope for progression.”
Based on his opinion of the 21-year-old, it would be a surprise if Amorim didn’t want to bring Diomande to Old Trafford in January.
Man United could get an extra centre-back boost before January
Even if United do decide to add another centre-back in the January transfer window, they will also get a boost in the fact that Lisandro Martinez will be fit and back in Amorim’s side before January.
The Argentina international has been out of action since February with an ACL injury, and he is getting closer to making a return for the Red Devils, which will provide Amorim with a huge boost. Martinez is a real battling defender, something that could seriously improve United’s defence.
In his most recent injury update, Amorim said: “Licha is near but almost returning to the training with the team.”
As things stand, he is likely to come back to full fitness in November, potentially before the international break.