The Ruben Amorim to West Ham rumours are spreading like wildfire, with mainstream media now reporting The Hammers’ interest as fact.

As ever, Claret & Hugh have contacted their top sources within the club, but they remain tight-lipped. The official stance remains the same… David Moyes‘ managerial position will be assessed at the end of the season.

Unofficially, it appears that even Moyes himself is resigned to leaving East London, and the club is actively looking at replacements.

Signing Amorim would demonstrate the ultimate ambition from West Ham

Ambitious coach with a bright future

Amorim is considered one of the brightest coaching talents in world football. The top division in Portugal is always considered a three-horse race, but the truth is that Sporting hadn’t finished above Porto or Benfica for years before Amorim came along.

He plays great football and is brilliant with youth players, but he was handed a lesson in the Europa League by Atalanta’s Gasperini. However, that shouldn’t detract from the fine work he’s done at both Sporting and Braga.

Personally, I’m still struggling to get my head around West Ham paying a transfer fee for a manager. We’ve always paid big wages, even going back as far as Sam Allardyce, who was one of the world’s highest-paid managers even in the Championship. Manuel Pellegrini was also on a significant wage, yet for some reason, this seems bigger.

It would show an enormous amount of ambition for West Ham to poach one of the brightest young talents in world football. It would also be concrete evidence of a project in progress that began with Tim Steidten’s recruitment last year.

I still need some convincing, and I’m half expecting David Moyes to renew or Steve Bruce to be appointed with Tony Pulis as his assistant. However, if the Hammers’ ownership manages to pull this coup off, it has the potential to be the singular move that truly propels the club forward.

According to breaking news reports, Ruben Amorim travelled to London this afternoon to meet with the owners of West Ham.

The Sporting Lisbon coach reportedly left Portugal accompanied by businessman Raul Costa on a private jet provided by the Hammers. The reports were accompanied by a photo of Amorim walking towards a private jet, although there is little evidence of the plane’s destination.

Amorim supposedly boarding a West Ham chartered jet to London

Hammers manager David Moyes has come under increasing pressure following yesterdays humiliating loss to Crystal Palace. However, club sources are adamant that they will not make any decision on the managers future until the end of the season.

Hiring the 39-year-old coach would be an incredibly ambitious move for West Ham. As mentioned earlier on C&H, Amorim has a hefty buyout clause in the region of £20 million, so hiring him will not be inexpensive.

David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano have both confirmed the Hammers’ interest in the Portuguese coach today. Reports suggest that Amorim is West Ham’s top target. However, former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is also in the running and is currently residing in England. Lopetegui was reported last night to have turned down the chance to coach Milan in order to sign with The Hammers.

David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano have confirmed West Ham’s interest in Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim this afternoon.

The Portuguese coach was previously rumoured to be a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer. However, various news outlets are now reporting that the Anfield club will look elsewhere for a new coach.

It should be noted that West Ham attracting a coach of Amorim’s calibre is highly unlikely, especially with the prospect of no European football next season. The former Braga boss is highly regarded and is believed to be content continuing his work at Sporting.

Amorim has been approached by West Ham according to various reports

Additionally, there is the matter of Amorim’s release clause. Sporting Lisbon paid over £11 million to release the 39-year-old from his Braga contract, and it is understood that his current buyout clause is at least double that amount.

The West Ham board are not in the habit of spending large sums on compensation for managers, and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where they would start. While hiring Amorim would demonstrate significant ambition on the part of the club, other available managers like Fonseca and Lopetegui are free and far more likely candidates.