04 August 2023 , 09:40
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Sofyan Amrabat is flying into England with Fiorentina on Friday amid continued speculation over a possible transfer to Manchester United.
Amrabat is currently in limbo, with his future yet to be decided ahead of the start of the 2023/24 season. The Morocco international has another year left on his Fiorentina contract, yet it appears increasingly unlikely that he will fulfil it.
The 26-year-old midfielder is desperate to move to Old Trafford in order to be reunited with his former boss Erik ten Hag. Amrabat played under the Dutchman for two years at Utrecht and is eager to trade in Serie A for the Premier League.
He has his heart set on United and has therefore rejected approaches from West Ham and Saudi Arabia. United are yet to make an official bid for Amrabat, but any approach could be made easier by the fact that he will land in England on Friday.
That’s because Amrabat is part of the Fiorentina squad who will play Newcastle at St James Park in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon. La Viola will then face Nice on Tyneside on Sunday in an effort to gear up for the upcoming campaign.
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Amrabat remains a part of Vincenzo Italiano’s squad, despite ongoing speculation around his future. Fiorentina are well aware of the interest from United, West Ham and Saudi Arabia and are understood to want around €30million (£25m) for Amrabat’s signature.
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have previously been linked, but Amrabat is understood to prefer a move to Old Trafford. Having shone for Morocco in their run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, he feels ready to step up and play in the Premier League and Champions League.
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United have signed Mason Mount and Andre Onana and are now close to completing a £72m deal for Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker is expected to be announced ahead of a friendly against Lens at Old Trafford on Saturday – and once he is over the line they may move on to other targets.
Ten Hag could lose Fred, Donny van de Beek or Scott McTominay in the transfer window and Amrabat could represent a suitable alternative. The United boss spent two years working with the Moroccan at Utrecht and therefore understands what he could offer the side.
Fiorentina have been open about the possibility of losing Amrabat, who joined the club from Hellas Verona in 2020. Speaking last month, Italiano said: “It had happened already in my first season here. There was a borderline situation. Now, we’ll see how he feels mentally when he arrives.
“We’ll see. He is appreciated by everyone here, but all players arrive with the desire to work. We know the market has unpredictable dynamics.”