Manchester United’s drawn-out efforts to sign Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina may have been handed a boost as rival bidders Napoli can’t afford him.
That’s according to journalist Enzo Bucchioni, who says that the Italian champions won’t put up the money to match Aurelio de Laurentiis’ demands.
Amrabat has been heavily linked with a move away from Fiorentina since the World Cup, where he was a star for Morocco in their run to the semi-finals, earning himself plenty of admirers in the process.
Manchester United are believed to be among those who like him and have been targeting him for much of this summer without sinking the killer blow.
That remains the case, despite an apparent need to strengthen in midfield, and in the meantime other interested parties have stepped forward.
Napoli are one of them, with reports yesterday indicating that they had opened talks about a potential deal to trump Manchester United to the midfielder’s signature.
That would undoubtedly be of concern to those in charge at Old Trafford but Bucchioni provides some calming words today, insisting it’s unlikely Napoli can get the player.
“Amrabat at Napoli? I have definite news in this regard,” he said.
“President Rocco Commisso is asking for no less than thirty million euros. And I really don’t believe that Aurelio De Laurentiis would accept paying so much money for the midfielder. However, relations between the presidents are certainly very good.
“I don’t think Napoli are in pole position to buy Amrabat, but if Aurelio De Laurentiis considers him indispensable for his Napoli, then things could also change in the future.
“The player’s situation in Florence is certainly not the best. But the violet club has been clear with his entourage: they must bring thirty million euros, otherwise the player stays in Tuscany.”
