Over the past month of the transfer window, Manchester United were reportedly trying to sign Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina.
The deal eventually took place on transfer deadline day, and yet they could have easily missed out on him to Galatasaray.
That’s what the Turkish side’s vice-president, Erden Timur, told the press on Thursday, relayed by CNN Turk, claiming that they came extremely close to signing the now Manchester United player.
The Morocco international made the switch from Fiorentina to Old Trafford on a loan with an option to buy, and has since made it clear Erik ten Hag was the reason why he chose this destination.
However, he was prepared to move to Galatasaray, according to Timur, who openly discussed his side’s transfer dealings over the past few days.
He said: “We largely agreed with Sofyan Amrabat. With Fiorentina, we were at a level where we could reach a point. Manchester United came on Wednesday evening and as the player has said before, his former manager was also there… He rejected the big teams and waited for us, but it didn’t happen.”
Therefore, it seems that Manchester United’s very late swoop for the midfielder cost Galatasaray a transfer they wanted, who eventually wiped their tears by signing Tanguy Ndombélé on a loan with an option to buy to bolster their midfield.
