Man Utd star has already told West Ham what to expect from rumoured David Moyes replacement

West Ham and David Moyes look less and less likely to come to an agreement over a contract extension at the London Stadium with unease between the Scotsman and the club's following growing.

Yesterday's 5-2 defeat to London rivals Crystal Palace hasn't helped the case for Moyes to extend his stay at West Ham. The 60-year-old has previously said that any discussions over a new deal would happen at the end of the season and not a moment before.

The Athletic now reports that the Hammers have 'held talks over an ambitious move' to replace Moyes with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim this summer. The 39-year-old 'features prominently' in the club's thinking according to the report with discussions having taken place.

Amorim, who played for Benfica and the Portuguese national side between 2008 and 2017, has also been linked with a move to Liverpool to take over from Jurgen Klopp - Xabi Alonso had been favourite for that post, but has committed his future to Bayer Leverkusen.

Amorim has been in charge at Sporting Lisbon since 2020, winning the Primeira Liga in 2021 and the Taca da Liga in 2021 and 2022. He previously worked at Braga and Casa Pia.

The manager may be somewhat of an unknown for Hammers supporters, but fans have already been told what to expect by Premier League stars. Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who left Sporting just months before Amorim arrived, was asked whether the coach could step up to the Premier League earlier this year.

Fernandes said: "If he really takes the next step – I hope he stays at Sporting – but if he takes the next step, I think all the qualities are there to be able to succeed in English, French, or Spanish football.

"Obviously, we know that the Premier League is probably the most desired. The qualities [to succeed in England] are there and he has everything to take the next step, in my opinion. But it will depend on the clubs, the directors, whether they want to pay Sporting's release clause or not."

Amorim has also received praise from Fulham's Portuguese international Joao Palhinha. The midfielder told O Jogo: "Ruben is a coach with a lot of quality, one of the best in Portugal. He has done an excellent job since Braga.

"He has in-depth knowledge of the game and has a close relationship with the players. The way he is growing, he won’t stay in Portugal much longer. It will not be for lack of opportunities that he will not leave Portugal. He dreams and aims to win another title with Sporting and then the future will be in his hands."