As the day goes by, the information that is being posted in Italy suggests that Sofyan Amrabat is edging closer to a move to Manchester United.
The midfielder has long been a target for Erik ten Hag, and despite leaving it very late, transfer deadline day could be the moment the player makes the switch, albeit on loan.
It first started in France, though, as Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna produced a very simple tweet on Friday morning, claiming that Manchester United and Fiorentina are ‘close to an agreement’ for Sofyan Amrabat to play in the Premier League.
The move would be a loan with an option to buy, and that is corroborated by both his colleague, Hanif Berkane, who says it’s a ‘paid loan with an option to buy’, and by Gianluca Di Marzio in Italy.
The latter doesn’t mention an option to buy in the deal, although we would be shocked if one wasn’t included, but makes it clear the current hold up is regarding the fee Manchester United would pay up front.
Di Marzio explains that Fiorentina, in the last few hours, have ‘opened to the paid loan formula’, but the deal is not yet closed.
It’s said the Serie A side want ‘much more’ than what Manchester United are currently offering, but the negotiations between the two clubs ‘continue’.
In fact, they already have his replacement lined up, as Fiorentina would go after Maxime Lopez to take over from their current midfielder.
If that wasn’t enough, Gazzetta dello Sport also join the mix and go one step further than everyone else, claiming Manchester United have moved ‘all-in’ for Amrabat, and the Serie A side ‘seem ready to accept the conditions’ put on the table by the Red Devils.
Not only that, but Amrabat is now ‘undergoing a medical’ at the San Rossore clinic in Pisa ‘on behalf’ of the Premier League club, and Matt Hargreaves, the director of football at Old Trafford, is already in Florence.
Regarding the fee, as said above, Fiorentina ‘have opened up to the possibility of a paid loan that also includes a purchase option’.
While they would prefer an obligation to buy, it’s explained that Manchester United ‘could have problems even making an investment promise’ and talks continue.
