02 August 2023 , 11:43
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Sofyan Amrabat is determined to push through a move to Manchester United despite interest from West Ham and Saudi Arabia.
The Fiorentina midfielder put himself firmly in the shop window by being a leading light in Morocco's charge to the World Cup semi-finals, seeing off Portugal and Spain en route. His name has since been linked with a host of European clubs, several of them Premier League outfits.
One of those is West Ham, flush with cash after the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105million and having yet to make a senior signing this summer. He, Denis Zakaria and Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse have all been targeted by the Hammers. There has also been major interest in Amrabat from Saudi side Al Ahli, who agreed to meet the Italian side's transfer demands and were willing to offer the 26-year-old a big-money deal to join those trading European football for Asia this summer.
But Amrabat is understood to have rejected that approach as he looks to move, desperate to play in the Premier League and Champions League next season. He starred for the Viola in their run to the UEFA Conference League final last term - where they were beaten by the Hammers - but is now desperate to make a step up in his career, is refusing to negotiate with Al Ahli or West Ham and has set his heart on a reunion with Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
He has continued playing for Fiorentina in pre-season and took the field in a 4-0 win over Grosetto on Tuesday night. Claims on social media that he declared post-game to news agency ANSA "I could remain", have been labelled 'fake' by the player's representatives.
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Ten Hag has already bolstered his midfield ranks with the capture of Mason Mount from Chelsea but his options in the middle of the park could still change before the end of the transfer window. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes were regulars last term, but the new United captain has also been used in wider, more-attacking roles by Ten Hag when required. Christian Eriksen has also been a key starter since the Dutchman's arrival.
United are looking to sell Fred, potentially for a knockdown price of £15million, while Scott McTominay could also go - if anyone is willing to reach his £40million asking price. Donny van de Beek's future is also in doubt and he could leave if the right offer comes in too. Real Sociedad, looking for a replacement for David Silva, have been mooted as a potential destination.
Amrabat is well known to Ten Hag, who coached him earlier in his managerial career at Utrecht. The Fiorentina star has hailed the United boss for how he dealt with him individually, which has aided him throughout his career.
Amrabat told The Athletic on Ten Hag’s influence on him: "That was so important for me. It was my second year in the first-team. He made a plan for me. He asked me about my strong points and what I wanted to improve. From the first day, he was busy with me. Not only me, all the players.
"A lot of coaches are busy in general with the team but he put a lot of time into individual work because he knew if the individual was better the team would be better. After every game, he would take me through a video and explain everything to me.
"I was 18 or 19 years old, so sometimes I was thinking, 'Oof, again?' But now, when I look back, I know it was so important for my career. I learned such a lot from him."