Liverpool may have a rival for Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim, according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

While Plettenberg claims the Reds do have an agreement in principle with the Portuguese manager to replace Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout, the reporter says that “Chelsea have inquired about him” recently too.

Some other journalists in Portugal have disputed Plettenberg’s reports that Amorim has agreed a contract with Liverpool so it remains to be seen whether the 39-year-old does sign on the dotted line.

There are also other complications, including Amorim‘s release clause, that the Reds will have to sort out with Sporting before any deal can be finalised.

It means there is still a possibility that a team like Chelsea or, potentially, Barcelona could swoop in and poach Amorim but the smart money is on the Sporting boss heading to Merseyside at the end of the season.

How much will Liverpool have to pay for Amorim?

Reports in the Portuguese media have suggested that Amorim’s release clause is €30m (£26m). However, that figure is said to be lower for foreign clubs (€20m/£17m).

That is still a sizeable sum to recruit a manager but, if Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes believe he is the right man for the job, it’s likely that owners FSG will sanction the compensation payment.

What has Amorim said about his future?

The Sporting head coach set tongues wagging last week when he refused to commit his future to his current club. Asked about his plans, Amorim said:

“I cannot make any guarantees [that I will stay at Sporting next season] 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.”