Ruben Amorim could copy Jurgen Klopp as Man Utd swap deal stance clear after £60m offer

 Manchester United aren't accustomed to taking their lead from Liverpool, but Ruben Amorim may do just that by swerving a move to sign Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman is believed to be up for sale this summer after falling afoul at Chelsea, with the Red Devils among those said to be interested.

The Telegraph reported on Monday that United and Chelsea are "weighing up" a potential swap deal involving Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho. Both players have seen their stock plummet at their respective clubs of late, with each being touted to move in the coming months.

Garnacho, 20, fell out with Amorim towards the end of this season when he was dropped for key clashes against Tottenham and Aston Villa. And the Argentina international appears to have hinted he's ready to leave after posting an image of himself wearing a Villa jersey with Rashford's name and number on the back, having spent part of this term on loan in Birmingham.

Nkunku, 27, had lofty ambitions after he joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for an eye-bulging £52million. However, the France international wouldn't be expected to fetch the same fee today despite scoring 14 times in 22 starts this season.

His career in England may have panned out differently had the boardroom brains at Anfield got their way. The Reds recruitment team identified Nkunku as a likeable target during his time in Germany.

However, The Times reported Klopp stepped in to insist his side signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica instead. The manager got his wish, though many might wonder if Nkunku would have been the superior signing given Nunez's struggles in front of goal.

And Amorim, 40, could conduct a similar hijack as United step up their interest in Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo. That's after seeing an initial offer of £45m plus £10m in add-ons rebuffed by the Bees.