Sporting Lisbon ‘braced for exodus of star players to the Premier League’ if Ruben Amorim leaves for Liverpool… with one potentially following him to Anfield

Sporting Lisbon are reportedly braced for an exodus of star players if Ruben Amorim leaves to become Liverpool‘s next manager.

The 39-year-old Portuguese is the favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield after Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso ruled himself out of the running.

Amorim could sign off with a Double as Sporting currently sit seven points clear at the top of the league and will face Porto in the Portuguese Cup final next month.

However, according to the Daily Mirror, Sporting are likely to be raided by Premier League clubs in the summer regardless of how many trophies they win.

Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, formerly of Coventry City, is reportedly a target for Arsenal after he notched 36 goals in 43 matches this season. The 25-year-old has a release clause of £86million.

Amorim is the favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp, who will leave Anfield in the summer

The Ivorian centre-back Ousmane Diomande, 20, is a target for Newcastle United and has a £68m release clause.

Meanwhile, defender Goncalo Inacio, 22, is a target for Liverpool and could follow Amorim to Anfield.

His release clause is believed to be in the region of £51m but, as with the other two, suitors are expected to test Sporting’s resolve with lower initial bids.

Amorim continues to play down the Liverpool rumours by insisting he remains focused only on delivering Sporting’s 20th league title.

‘I didn’t say anything to the players,’ he said ahead of Sporting’s 1-0 win over Famalicao last week.

‘When it was mentioned that I had an agreement with Liverpool, I felt the need to talk, but I left that part for the press conference. I don’t get anything from the players, they just ask about days off!’

Prolific Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres – valued at £86m – is reportedly a target for Arsenal 

Defender Ousmane Diomande (right) is reportedly a summer target for Newcastle United

Defender Goncalo Inacio, who has a £51m release clause, has been linked with Liverpool

The former Benfica midfielder, who retired from playing at 32, had previously denied reports in Lisbon that an agreement had been reached with Liverpool. 

The Reds are leading a thorough search for Klopp’s successor and Amorim is one of a number of candidates being considered.

‘I’ll say it again: I’m Sporting’s coach,’ he said on Thursday. ‘There was no interview with any club, no agreement with any club. I am focused, as always, on defending my club.’