Ruben Amorim 'in talks with surprise club, unlikely to join Liverpool'

Ever since Xabi Alonso confirmed that he would be remaining with Bayer Leverkusen for one more season, Amorim has been considered the number one contender to fill Jurgen Klopp's Anfield boots.

At one stage, it was even claimed that the two parties had verbally agreed a three-year deal for Amorim to take over this summer, although those reports are now known to be wide of the mark.

Amid the incessant speculation over his future, the 39-year-old could lead Sporting to a domestic double this season, as they sit seven points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga table and will face Porto in next month's Taca de Portugal final.

The Lisbon giants' success has only seen his stock rise further, and he has also been linked with the soon-to-be vacant Barcelona job, although his reported €15m (£12.9m) release clause would prove problematic for the La Liga champions.

West Ham United enter talks with Amorim

Instead, The Athletic claims that West Ham United have unexpectedly thrown their hat into the ring, and Amorim has already flown to the English capital to hold talks with the Irons.

Current incumbent David Moyes is facing an increasingly uncertain future at the London Stadium, having overseen a Europa League exit to Bayer Leverkusen and crushing 5-2 Premier League loss to Crystal Palace at the weekend.

The latter result leaves the Hammers eighth in the table with 48 points, only two fewer than Newcastle United and Manchester United, although Moyes's men have played two games more than both clubs.

No decision on Moyes's future is expected to be made before the end of the season when his contract runs out, but West Ham are said to have earmarked Amorim as their main managerial target, above ex-Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui.

Despite Liverpool's well-documented interest in the Sporting boss, the report adds that it is now considered unlikely for Amorim to take the reins from Klopp, leaving Reds fans scratching their heads further as to who their new head coach could be.

What Amorim alternatives Liverpool looking at?

With Alonso off limits and Amorim potentially prowling another Premier League touchline next season, Liverpool must now look further down their list of managerial candidates and are supposedly prepared to be bold rather than popular with their decision.

Such a stance would lend itself to the astonishing appointment of Jose Mourinho, in the stands to watch the Reds beat Fulham 3-1 at the weekend, fuelling speculation that he could sensationally return for another Premier League stint.

However, there is not believed to be anything concrete in the Mourinho links - his presence at Craven Cottage may very well have been a coincidence - but a handful of current English top-flight bosses are thought to be more realistic targets.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford's Thomas Frank are among them, while Ange Postecoglou's name has also been floated about, but Tottenham Hotspur are not concerned about the prospect of losing their head coach.