Manchester United have finally made their move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat after weeks of questions about whether they would or not.
According to David Ornstein, of The Athletic, United have made their move for the former Utrecht midfielder but are only willing to offer a loan deal for the 27-year-old.
The option of a loan for the midfielder is seemingly down to financial fair play issues. According to the report, United currently do not have the funds to complete a signing on a permanent deal.
While the uncertainty created by the club’s drawn-out takeover process is not helpful to United’s summer plight, the biggest constraint is their compliance with financial fair play, which reportedly takes into account historical spending, too.
Erik ten Hag’s side spent well in excess of £150 million, even approaching the £200 million mark so a loan for Amrabat may well be the only option.
United finally make their move
For a long time, it seemed that Amrabat was the preferred choice and, following the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund, the deal looked hotter than ever.
Since then, however, the rumours around the midfielder seemed to have died down but, with 48 hours left of the window, the deal is finally back on again.
It always seemed likely that the Moroccan was Ten Hag’s preferred choice of midfielder, due to the previous working relationship and the defensive stability he would offer to United’s midfield, especially in the big games.
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Will it get done in time
With just over two days left in the transfer window, United will have to get a move on if they are truly keen on signing the former Feyenoord midfielder.
The report doesn’t state if Fiorentina would be open to the loan move, but with just one year remaining on his contract, a loan with an obligation to buy may well be the only way forward.
It may well be a tense next couple of days as the race to complete the signing of the midfielder looks to be entering its crescendo, finally.