Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'were hours away from signing Sofyan Amrabat'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 27 September 2023

On-loan Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was close to joining Liverpool in the final stages of the summer transfer window, according to a report.

On-loan Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat allegedly came within 'a whisker' of joining Liverpool before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Morocco international's future was the subject of much speculation over the summer, but he ultimately made the move to Man United on loan from Fiorentina in the final hours of the market.

According to United Confidential, Amrabat was 'hours away' from joining Liverpool, only for a last-gasp issue to hold up the deal, which allowed Erik ten Hag's side to win the race for his signature.

The report claims that the problem came from Amrabat's camp, and Liverpool ultimately switched their attention to securing a deal for Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch.

Man United will have the option to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis next summer, and he impressed during his full debut against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.

Morocco's Sofyan Amrabat celebrates after the match on November 27, 2022 © Reuters

Amrabat featured as a late substitute against Burnley in the league on Saturday before starting against Palace in the EFL Cup, and injuries have meant that his two outings have come as a left-back.

"I told the manager I will play where [he] needs me and where the team needs me, even if it is a goalkeeper!" Amrabat told Sky Sports News after the 3-0 win over Palace.

"I play where I can help the team, today it was left-back. I had a bit of a free role, I think you saw I played a bit in midfield, so it was nice, it was good.

"I think it was a perfect night. We played very well and, most importantly, we won 3-0. I played one hour, so I think it was perfect. Since I was a child I worked for this [moment].

Manchester United's Anthony Martial celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on September 26, 2023 © Reuters

"I worked very hard for my whole career and life [for this], so it was amazing to play here. Today is a Tuesday and the stadium was full, it is fantastic."

Amrabat did not feature for Fiorentina early in the season due to the speculation surrounding his future, while he had to withdraw from the Morocco squad over the recent international break due to injury, and the midfielder has said that it will take time for him to build up to full fitness.

"I am fit but not 100%," he added. "But I think that is normal. I have not had a perfect pre-season, because of the transfer and everything, but I'm working very hard now to get there and I think the game today was a good game for me.

"A next step and I hope to continue like this and I will do everything to be, as soon as possible, 100%."

Amrabat was also heavily linked with Barcelona earlier this year off the back of an impressive World Cup for Morocco, but he remained at Fiorentina for the second half of the 2022-23 campaign.