26 July 2023 , 11:49
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Liverpool and Manchester United do not often both attempt to sign the same player but it appears that scenario is playing out for the second successive transfer window.
The Merseyside club began their January transfer window by completing the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch international had been in the process of negotiating a deal with United, who were not decisive on a deal for the forward.
The agent of Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat has confirmed clubs want to sign the midfielder this summer amid interest from both United and Liverpool. Red boss Jurgen Klopp met with his representative earlier this year while Erik ten Hag previously coached the player at FC Utrecht.
Amrabat is believed to be desperate to leave Fiorentina this summer with United confident a deal can be done but with the player and the Italian club, with a £25million fee likely to be enough to secure a move. But the player is also on Liverpool ’s shortlist.
While United appear to be the favourites to sign the midfielder, they are prioritising the signing of Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund. That delay in moving officially for Amrabat opens the door for Liverpool, who are keen to sign two midfielders this summer.
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With Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both set to join Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the exit list, Klopp is desperate for more reinforcements. Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is top of their wanted list but Amrabat is also under consideration.
Amrabat starred for Morocco at last year's World Cup (Getty Images) Have Your Say! Do Liverpool or Man Utd need to sign Amrabat more ? Tell us what you think here.
Klopp remains hopeful of gazumping United, as he did seven years when he secured the signing of Sadio Mane from under the noses of their Premier League rivals. Mane had an agreement in place to join United, before moving instead to Merseyside from Southampton.
"I have to say, I was really close to going to Manchester United," Mane told the Daily Telegraph last year. "I had the contract there. I had it all agreed. It was all ready, but instead, I thought, 'No, I want to go to Liverpool.'
"I was convinced to go with (Jurgen) Klopp's project. I still remember the first time I got the call from Klopp. He said, 'We have a big project at Liverpool and I want you to be part of it.'
"Then he asked what position I wanted because he could see at Southampton I played on the right side and I used to play on the left. I said I prefer left, and then he said, 'But (Philippe) Coutinho is on the left!' So I said, never mind, I will play on the right. I could see myself in all the positions."