Manchester United are the favourites to sign Sofyan Amrabat but the Premier League giants could still face a £30 million battle with Atletico Madrid.
Reports suggesting a deal to make Sofyan Amrabat Erik ten Hag’s fourth signing of the summer are, as The Athletic’s David Ornstein points out, a little premature.
Yes, the masterful Moroccan became Manchester United’s top priority after the Red Devils agreed a deal with Atlanta for striker Rasmus Hojlund (Fabrizio Romano).
But while personal terms will not be a problem, meeting Fiorentina’s £30 million price-tag is. Or, at least, it will be, as long as United do not first get the likes of Fred, Donny van de Beek and/or Scott McTominay off the books.
Manchester United need patience in Sofyan Amrabat pursuit
Financial Fair Play complications mean Amrabat reuniting with his former FC Utrecht coach at Old Trafford is reliant upon United raising funds via player sales.
As such, Atletico Madrid may currently be in a stronger position to move for Amrabat right here, right now; Diego Simeone making no secret of his desire to bring in a hard-working enforcer in the 26-year-old’s mould.
“We need a midfielder to share that spot with Koke and give that position more competition,” Simeone tells Diario AS. “The season is long, the characteristics of those we have around Koke are not pure midfielders.
“(Geoffrey) Kondogbia left (for Marseille). We see (Axel) Witsel more as a centre-back, although he can play as a midfielder. But we believe that we are going to compete better with the arrival of another midfielder. (One) that gives us personality, ability and internal competition.”
MORE UNITED STORIES
“The club will decide (who to sign).”
Amrabat holding out for United
Atletico are also keen on Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
It remains to be seen if the 2021 La Liga champions decide to prioritise the Dane instead, with Alfredo Pedulla – who was on the money regarding United’s pursuit of both Hojlund and Andre Onana – reporting that Amrabat has already agreed a £70,000-a-week deal at Old Trafford.
Ornstein, however, believes that United will only step up talks with Fiorentina if Fred and co depart in the coming weeks.
“It’s one that United are looking at. Amrabat is aware of that,” Ornstein tells FIVE UK. “(But) I don’t think it has moved to the degree some reports suggest. I’m not aware that a deal is nearly done or agreed.
“It is one that could be acted upon on if there are departures.”