Sporting manager Ruben Amorim has agreed a verbal deal in principle to become the next Liverpool manager, it has been claimed.
Sky Germany have reported the 39-year-old has discussed a three-year contract to become Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield.
While Sky Germany added that the deal is still to be finalised, the publication's sources in Liverpool are said to have refuted the story entirely.
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Amorim has been among the favourites to take over at Anfield since Xabi Alonso ruled himself out of contention for the Anfield job two weeks ago.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg wrote on X that a deal had been agreed in principle between Liverpool and Amorim, with both parties said to be interested.
He added, however, that Bayern Munich and Premier League rivals Chelsea had also registered an interest in the Sporting boss.
Plettenberg said: "Been told there’s a verbal agreement in principle with Liverpool now!
"Amorim wants to join [Liverpool] next season and Liverpool were pushing for him in the last weeks. He can sign a contract until 2027 - confirmed!
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"Final negotiations with Sporting are still pending. It‘s not a done deal yet. More steps needed. Deal can still fall through.
"The 39 y/o was also on the list of FC Bayern but it was never advanced. Chelsea have inquired about him. "
Last week Amorim admitted he could make “no guarantees” that he would be at Sporting come the end of the season.
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When asked if he was able to follow Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso by confirming he will stay, he said: "No, I can't make any guarantees".
He added: "Sporting are dealing with their future and I can't decide now because I gave my word, I can't go back on that, so if I don't win trophies, I'm going to leave Sporting.
"That's been very clear since the start. I felt it was important to get that across to the players because we have to win. We want to win trophies and we'll decide on those things later.
"I'm not worried about that right now. The future has been planned for quite a long time. We're all together as a club and looking into all situations and what we want for next season, so that's the main reason why I can't guarantee anything.
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"I said that to my players and as the leader I can't go back on my word, as hard as that may be. We have to win trophies, we're on track to do that and that's why it's so important to win our next game."
Topics: Liverpool, Premier League, Football, Jurgen Klopp
Chris Byfield