Rúben Amorim has already been linked with four Premier League jobs amid Liverpool manager search

Rúben Amorim is now the leading candidate to become Liverpool's next manager and finally make a move to the Premier League . Amorim led Sporting CP to its first title in 19 years in 2021 and his side is on course to win the league and cup double this season.

He has emerged as the new favorite for the Liverpool job after Xabi Alonso ruled himself out of the running. Sky Germany reports that an 'agreement' has already been reached between the Reds and Amorim , although the process is not believed to be that far advanced at this stage.

Amorim, 39, has previously been linked with a number of Premier League clubs with as many as four teams unsuccessful in their reported pursuits of the Portuguese boss.

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The Sporting boss was initially considered by Aston Villa to replace Steven Gerrard last season. The Athletic claimed that talks had even been held, with Villa impressed with his work. But with Sporting still in the Champions League at the time, Amorim stayed put as Villa turned to Unai Emery.

Amorim was also linked with managerial vacancies at Chelsea and Tottenham last summer, following the dismissal of Graham Potter and Antonio Conte respectively. However, he dismissed the chance of taking up either role in an interview with Diário de Notícias .

"I'm not looking for anything," he stated firmly. "And by the way, I want to value what I have and not what is said. And it's been said so many times... I've already said it, I've had contacts with other clubs, Sporting even knows, but I always wanted to stay because I like being at Sporting."

Chelsea eventually appointed Mauricio Pochettino, while Spurs secured the services of Ange Postecoglou from Celtic. Later in the year, The Times claimed Amorim was a potential candidate for Manchester United following Erik ten Hag's disappointing start to the season.

When asked about the speculation, Amorim didn't rule out a move to Old Trafford but did confirm that United had not yet reached out to him. "I have an idea for the end of the season but I won't say it now," Amorim stated in November. But the results and the context take us to something different. I don't want to be commenting on these things. I have not been contacted by Manchester United."

Liverpool.com says: Amorim clearly has admirers at Liverpool although reports of an agreement are believed to be off the mark at this stage. The Reds aren't the first Premier League side to consider him but he decided those moves were not right at the time. The opportunity to manage Liverpool doesn't come around often though and if he is approached, he would likely find it hard to say no.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Daily Mirror by clicking here .