Roland Cutinho
Serie A side Fiorentina won’t negotiate past the ’72-hour’ period for Manchester United target Sofyan Amrabat
According to Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport (h/t the Sun), Fiorentina wants to retain Sofyan Amrabat for the upcoming season if they don’t receive an offer within the next three days.
Manchester United have been strongly linked with the Moroccan midfielder, as manager Erik ten Hag would be feeling the pressure of bolstering the team’s midfield.
The recent 2-0 loss to Tottenham exposed vulnerabilities in United’s midfield, making it a top priority before the deadline day.
Amrabat gained significant attention during the World Cup, contributing to Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals.
The 27-year-old has continued to impress in Italy and has a connection with Ten Hag, having previously played for him at FC Utrecht.
His parent club will be aware of the player’s intention to leave this summer. However, with the Serie A season already underway and the summer transfer deadline approaching, Corriere dello Sport suggests that Fiorentina’s patience is wearing thin.
Vincenzo Italiano’s team is willing to wait for a formal offer of €30 million for the midfielder for a maximum of 72 hours. If no such offer materialises within that timeframe, they will then shift their focus towards retaining Amrabat in Florence.
United have been linked with the African star for several weeks, and it was said that he has already agreed to personal terms with the club.
However, as of now, the Red Devils have not made any formal contact with the player’s parent club. This lack of progress is causing frustration for the Serie A side, as they faced a similar situation in January.
During the previous January transfer window, Barcelona tried to sign Amrabat in the final moments, but Fiorentina made it clear that he was not for sale.
Hence, the ’72-hour’ period’ is crucial, and beyond that, the African honcho will not be allowed to leave the club.
If United are genuinely interested in the defensive midfielder, they must submit a strong offer before the end of Friday; otherwise, he will remain in Italy for the upcoming season.
Fiorentina would also need to have ample time to secure a replacement if their key player departs.
Man United’s Premier League season has started very poorly, with midfield dominance issues evident in matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.
The club is in need of another top-quality defensive midfielder, and Amrabat could be an excellent addition. He possesses top ball-playing skills, a decent work rate, and the ability to disrupt opponents through tactical fouls.
The Moroccan star could provide strong competition for Casemiro and could also play alongside the Brazilian international.
In our opinion, signing him is an obvious choice for United, but they seem focused on generating more funds through player sales first.
The club might be waiting for the departure of Donny van de Beek, but this approach carries risks, especially considering Fiorentina’s unwillingness to negotiate past Friday.
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If the English giants are genuinely interested in securing his services, they need to submit an official bid in the coming days.
Waiting until the transfer deadline could jeopardise their chances of signing the midfielder, and the fans would be sorely disappointed.
