Manchester United target Sofyan Amrabat is only interested in sealing a transfer to Old Trafford before Friday’s transfer deadline, despite Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso confirming late interest from other clubs in the Moroccan midfielder.
Having tracked Amrabat for some time since his breakout performances at the 2022 World Cup, United’s capacity to make a permanent transfer offer has been compromised by their inability to offload a number of existing squad players to raise sufficient funds.
With United having previously indicated their willingness to make an approach regarding a permanent transfer, Fiorentina have been disappointed by the recent developments. But, as 90min reported earlier on Thursday, they are also understanding of the situation and talks have continued over a way to make possible a deal that suits all parties.
The Serie A side are willing to accept an initial loan on the proviso that it comes with a mandatory purchase clause next summer to guarantee they get a substantial transfer fee for Amrabat. Fiorentina had wanted £29m earlier in the window, but a deal could now be a £5m loan fee, plus a further £20m in 2024, as talks regarding the exact payment structure of a transfer continue.
90min understands that Amrabat is not looking to join any other club. He has specifically waited all summer for United to come in with their offer, which has in turn seriously limited Fiorentina’s ability to negotiate with rival bidders. A deal between United and Fiorentina is close.
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It still hasn’t stopped other clubs registering interest in Amrabat. Fulham’s late dealings have seen them enquire about the 27-year-old, although he is one of 15 players that the Cottagers have had contact with a little over 24 hours before the transfer window closes. Galatasaray have also been linked. Meanwhile, contrary to reports, there has been no offer from Nottingham Forest.
Fiorentina president Commisso spoke with a degree of uncertainty about Amrabat following the club’s Europa Conference League qualifying win over Rapid Vienna on Thursday night – a game for which Amrabat was unsurprisingly not in the squad. He did, however, confirm that Fiorentina will not attempt to block a transfer in the event of an “opportunity” for the player.
“There are other clubs for Amrabat too,” Commisso told Sky Sport Italia when specifically asked about Manchester United and Galatasaray.
“I cannot give an answer right now, because not even I know what will happen [on Friday]. We told Amrabat that, if he has an opportunity to leave, then we’ll let him go. If this deal cannot be done, then he has two years left on his contract and will remain. There are many negotiations in progress. I don’t want to name names. So, wait 24 hours and then you”ll know what happens.”
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On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss Manchester United’s business with deadline day approaching and whether Harry Maguire will stay at the club.
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