Manchester United are now just a ‘few details’ away from having a deal in place for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
That is according to a couple of Italian journalists who were reporting the news late on Wednesday night.
Let’s start with Alfredo Pedulla, who claimed on Twitter that only a ‘few details are missing’ from United having an agreement for Amrabat.
Gianluigi Longari added that Amrabat to United as ‘never been so close’ with a deal worth around €35million (£30million) in the works.
Pedulla and Longari have worked on the story for SportItalia, seemingly confident that Amrabat to United is on.
The SportItalia report states that Amrabat is ‘one step away’ from joining United in what looks like a perfect move.
Sofyan Amrabat adds ideal depth for Manchester United
Casemiro was an outstanding addition for United last summer and he made a colossal impact both on and off the pitch.
The Brazilian did pick up suspensions though and a yellow card against Crystal Palace in January felt like a disaster with United knowing he would miss the trip to Arsenal just days later.
United just couldn’t go into the new season with that same situation and another defensively-minded midfielder was needed.
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Fred, Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer just weren’t cut out for that role and United are now dipping into the market.
Amrabat was simply a defensive powerhouse for Morocco at the World Cup in Qatar, breaking up play brilliantly and showing real aggression in the tackle.
Amrabat may not be an elite player like Casemiro but he can fill that defensive midfield role when needed and ensure that Casemiro yellow cards are no longer cause for hitting the panic button.
There would even be scope for Casemiro and Amrabat to play together; good luck to any midfielders wanting to break past those two.
Amrabat already knows Erik ten Hag methods
Another great factor in moving for Amrabat is that he already knows United boss Erik ten Hag.
The pair worked together at Utrecht between 2015 and 2017, so Amrabat already knows Ten Hag’s methods.
Ten Hag will have adapted his approach over time but there will be a base comfort level for Amrabat as he seemingly prepares to reunite with his former boss.
Ten Hag has already brought in Lisandro Martinez, Antony and now Andre Onana having worked with them at Ajax.
Amrabat goes even further back in Ten Hag’s history but his familiarity just makes this move even more sensible for United.