Bernardo Silva thinks Man Utd have found his successor as Ruben Amorim 'approves transfer'

Rising Sporting CP star and Manchester United transfer target Geovany Quenda has already been given a seal of approval by Manchester City's Bernardo Silva

Ruben Amorim has 'approved' the transfer of a player Bernando Silva believes will replace him at international level.

Manchester United have been linked with Sporting CP superstar Geovany Quenda since Amorim's Old Trafford arrival. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United are pushing to get a summer deal over the line after being given the green light by Amorim. Meanwhile, United are also said to have 'verbally agreed' personal terms with the player, according to talkSPORT.

Reports in Portugal claim a deal worth around £50million has already been agreed, although that has been disputed elsewhere with claims United are prepared to offer closer to £40m. Manchester City and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in the youngster.

However, his relationship with Amorim should give United an advantage if a transfer battle develops. To underline the strength of their bond, Quenda sent Amorim a message of thanks on social media following his move to United.

While at Sporting, Amorim made no secret of his admiration for the teenager, calling him a "very talented kid". He added: "[He's] Very physically robust, very focused, with his feet firmly on the ground. That's very important for a young player.

"He got his chance and there was no chance to take it away, no doubt, nothing. I think he's going to be a great player, but let's give it time."

Quenda has also been given high praise by City's Silva, who reckons the youngster will take his place in the Portugal team one day. He previously said: "He will probably steal my place. At 17, I wasn't even playing for Benfica's youth team."

Benfica were actually Quenda's first big team before he was snapped up by Lisbon rivals Sporting in 2019. He has integrated into the first-team squad this season, primarily playing as a wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation.

In October, while still playing under Amorim, Quenda became the club's youngster-ever goalscorer at 17 years, five months and 27 days, surpassing players including Cristiano Ronaldo. He then bettered another Ronaldo milestone by becoming the youngest player in club history to figure in the Lisbon derby.

Quenda is close to rivalling Silva at international level, having already been called up by the Portugal senior side by head coach Roberto Martinez for the Nations League games against Croatia and Scotland last September. He then made his Portugal U21 debut in October.