Ruben Amorim “photo of boarding plane to London provided by West Ham owners”… as Hammers make ambitious move to meet Liverpool’s target to replace David Moyes

Liverpool target Ruben Amorim has reportedly been pictured boarding a plane to London to discuss becoming West Ham’s next manager.

Reports earlier today suggested the Hammers were looking to make an ambitious move to replace Sporting Lisbon boss David Moyes.

Amorim is the favorite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, since his former player Xabi Alonso opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for another season.

Moyes is out of contract this summer and Mail Sport understands West Ham have held talks with representatives of Amorim and former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.

CNN Portugal reported that Amorim traveled to London on a plane organized by the owners of West Ham, to meet with them about becoming the next manager of the London stadium.

West Ham in talks with Amorim to possibly replace David Moyes as manager

Amorim is the favorite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool at the end of the season.

He is understood to have left Portugal, accompanied by businessman Raul Costa, after Sporting training on Monday.

A photo circulated on social media showing Amorim heading towards the plane for his flight to the English capital.

The Portuguese leaders have two days off before returning to training on Thursday, as they prepare for a massive clash with rivals Porto this Sunday.

Moyes said in February that he had been offered a new contract and the decision to stay or leave was in his hands.

If he leaves the club, general manager Tim Steidten will be responsible for finding a successor.

Steidten has drawn up a list of potential candidates with Amorim, Lopetegui, Lille head coach Paulo Fonseca and Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna all under consideration.

The 39-year-old helped Sporting win a second Portuguese league title in four seasons.

Amorim could be available to English clubs for £12.8million.

Amorim on the verge of winning his second Portuguese league title with Sporting

West Ham have also reportedly held talks with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.

Portuguese reports suggested he had agreed a deal with Liverpool, but those close to the club played this down and were eager to declare he was just one name on a shortlist.

New Liverpool CEO Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes are reportedly ready to favor the ‘brave over the popular’ after fan favorite Alonso ruled himself out of the race.

Lopetegui is seen as a more viable option for West Ham. The 57-year-old has been unemployed since leaving Wolves in the summer, but is keen to return to management as soon as possible.

Discussions over the future of West Ham’s managerial position come after their 5-2 defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend. They were also knocked out of the Europa League quarter-finals last week despite a valiant effort against Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen.

West Ham were knocked out of Europe and lost 5-2 to Crystal Palace last week

“I’m so disappointed for the supporters who came today and in truth I’m embarrassed to sit here and speak for the team and the way they played, but I’m the manager” , Moyes said.

“I have to say I haven’t had many teams that played like that in my entire career.

“Maybe we lost a little bit of our tough culture, of the pride in making sure that we didn’t concede a goal and that we were difficult to play against and against difficult opposition. We don’t were none of them.

Moyes refused to answer questions about his future but said he would have “no problem” if the decision was out of his hands.