Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'close to finalising £30m Sofyan Amrabat signing'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 04 August 2023

Man United 'close to finalising £30m Sofyan Amrabat signing'

Manchester United reportedly edge closer to the £30m signing of Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat following secret talks with the Italian side through intermediaries.

Manchester United are reportedly edging closer to sealing a £30m deal for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.

The 26-year-old has risen to stardom for club and country over the past year, playing a crucial role in Morocco's historic run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.

Amrabat was also a key cog in the Fiorentina machine during the 2022-23 season, as La Viola reached the Europa Conference League and Coppa Italia finals before losing to West Ham United and Inter Milan respectively.

Fiorentina also sealed a return to the Europa Conference League via an eighth-placed finish in Serie A, being awarded the final continental berth thanks to Juventus' expulsion from European football.

However, Fiorentina will seemingly navigate their 2023-24 campaign without Amrabat as the midfield screen, as journalist Alfredo Pedulla claims that the Moroccan will "soon" be touching down in Manchester.

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

Pedulla claims that Man United and Fiorentina have held secret talks through intermediaries, and a deal to bring Amrabat to the Theatre of Dreams is almost complete.

Amrabat's contract with Fiorentina only runs for another year, although La Viola possess the option to extend his stay until 2025, and a fee of £30m could be required to prise him away from Italy.

Man United have apparently shown a willingness to meet Fiorentina's asking price, and the Red Devils are seemingly set to fend off competition from Al-Ahli for Amrabat's services.

Liverpool were also tipped to move for the 26-year-old as a possible replacement for Fabinho, but the Reds are seemingly focusing their efforts on Southampton's Romeo Lavia instead.

However, Amrabat recently claimed that he was still unsure of his future in a Fiorentina jersey, as Man United are planning to push through a deal for Atalanta BC striker Rasmus Hojlund, who should be unveiled at the weekend.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on July 19, 2023 © Reuters

The Red Devils have already splashed the cash on Mason Mount and Andre Onana this summer, so a few midfielders may have to be cut from the ranks before Amrabat can arrive.

Fred and Donny van de Beek are both believed to be on the chopping block, and Real Sociedad are reported to be working on a deal to prise the latter away from Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Fred has been tipped to move to Fulham or Galatasaray this summer, although the Turkish giants are supposedly considering Tottenham Hotspur's Tanguy Ndombele as an alternative option.

Amrabat has scored one goal and provided one assist in 107 games for Fiorentina since his arrival from Hellas Verona in 2020, prior to which he represented Feyenoord, Utrecht and Club Brugge.

Man United finalise their pre-season preparations this weekend, as Ligue 1 side Lens visit Old Trafford on Saturday before Ten Hag's men meet Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in Dublin.