Earlier this month, while picking up his new Lamborghini, the former Manchester United man was pictured giving away one of his old Red Devils shirts as a thank you to his Bologna-based dealership.
Was that the last we will ever see of Sofyan Amrabat holding that iconic shirt?
It is certainly the last time we will see Amrabat’s name above the number four on the back of a Manchester United kit.
While it has not been completely ruled out that the Morocco international could head back to Old Trafford before the window shuts, the sight of Matthijs de Ligt jogging out against Fulham on Friday with his old shirt number did not look like a great sign as far as Amrabat is concerned.
Especially after United decided against triggering the £21 million option-to-buy clause in his contract.
At this stage, it is pretty obvious that one of the stars of the Qatar World Cup is not so much a leading target at Man United. More of a back-up, last-ditch option should all else fail.
If Manuel Ugarte is United’s first pick with the Fulham-bound Sander Berge coming in second, then Amrabat is third at best.
The question is, if not Old Trafford, then where will the FA Cup winner end up next?
Sofyan Amrabat’s Manchester United return unlikely
Fenerbahce are keen, per Goal. Jose Mourinho is impressed with a man who stepped in brilliantly during Casemiro’s absence at Wembley; saving his best Man United performance for what is likely to have been his last Man United appearance.
The appointment of Raffaele Palladino as Fiorentina’s head coach, meanwhile, appears to have opened up the possibility of a new start at his current employers.
Amrabat looked destined to be on his way out of Florence a few weeks ago. But, after informing Palladino that he is willing to stay and fight for his place, the late-blooming 27-year-old may be about to swap his beloved red shirt for that familiar old purple one.
“I love him. He’s a great guy. We’ve created a great relationship with him,” former Monza boss Palladino tells Tuttomercatoweb. “He’s a sincere guy at heart.
“He sent signals to me and Fiorentina, making himself available from day one. The transfer rumours are normal. He’s a player of a certain level. He and the club will decide his future.
“I hope I can still coach him. For me, he’s a great player.”
Morocco star is back in Serie A for Fiorentina
Amrabat played the full 90 minutes as Fiorentina kicked off the Palladino era with a 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Parma on Friday night.
Having worked under Ten Hag in the Eredivisie with FC Utrecht, Amrabat sounded hopeful that a permanent move to Old Trafford could be arranged after Man City were vanquished at Wembley back in May.
“Do I already know what I’m going to do next year? No. We are going to talk,” he told Ziggo Sport at the time. “Staying is certainly an option.
‘We are going to talk. Manchester United are the biggest club in the world, so who wouldn’t want to play football here? But all parties have to be happy with each other, so we will sit down now and see what happens.”
Now, with Man United looking elsewhere, Amrabat appears closer than ever to staying put with Fiorentina. Links with Napoli have cooled – the 2023 Serie A champions seemingly want Scott McTominay now instead – while Galatasaray have also distanced themselves from the speculation.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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