It wouldn’t be a Manchester United transfer window without some late twists and turns near the deadline day even this summer when planning has seen a serene function so far.
United have brought four players so far and it is considered an open secret that the next one through the door will be a defensive midfielder.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
There have been strong links to Manuel Ugarte, with alternatives like Sander Berge already sealing moves elsewhere, and Sofyan Amrabat still waiting in Italy to complete his Manchester United dream.
Amidst all the links, reports have emerged that United have taken a final decision on their pursuit of one player.
Man United end transfer chase
Finances are tricky to come by for United after signing four players and that is why the transfer of Manuel Ugarte has also dragged on.
Personal terms have been agreed with the player and the only stumbling block remains the asking price of Paris Saint-Germain.
So high priority a target is Ugarte that United are looking at creative ways to get a deal over the line, with a loan-with-obligation to buy option mooted.
Apparently, United reserve this special treatment only for their first-choice midfielder target, if recent reports from Italy are to be believed.
Corriere dello Sport report United have communicated to Fiorentina that they will end their chase for Sofyan Amrabat.
They state that Fiorentina are demanding at least €15 million for the man who spent the last season on loan at Old Trafford, a price United simply “will not satisfy”.
United had a buy option in the loan deal for Amrabat last summer but it was to the tune of nearly €25 million, an amount that was never realistic considering his up-and-down performances.
Hence, they let his loan deal expire without exercising that option and Amrabat returned to La Viola, waiting for United to strike a new agreement.
United, however, had already identified Ugarte as the more long-term solution and Amrabat remained an emergency alternative but Fiorentina’s asking price doesn’t reflect that from United’s POV.
Should Man United buy Amrabat?
While Amrabat’s performances were hardly the gold standard at United, it is worth putting an asterisk next to those displays as nobody in midfield looked good last season.
In a more secure system this year, Casemiro has looked revitalised, while the team as a whole is more solid and less porous.
Amrabat’s borderline desperation to return to Man United arguably helps his case too, as Ineos have made a concerted effort to go only for players who want to genuinely play for United.
Having said all that, United’s current stance on Fiorentina’s asking price is the correct one, especially if Scott McTominay’s transfer to Napoli doesn’t materialise.
This seems like a deal that, just like last season, could go deep into the later hours of deadline day if Fiorentina become desperate to offload and Amrabat goes nuclear to force it.
A potential bargain can then be had from United’s POV.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
