30 August 2023 , 18:25
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Manchester United have seen an initial bid to sign Sofyan Amrabat on loan rebuffed by Fiorentina just over 48 hours before the transfer deadline.
The Red Devils have been linked with the Morocco international all summer but have spent the majority of the transfer window strengthening other areas of Erik ten Hag 's squad. But despite spending in excess of £170million, Ten Hag always had plans to add another midfielder before the window shut, and talks over a deal for Amrabat have now finally taken place.
Unfortunately for United, their attempts to land the 27-year-old on a financially favourable deal have not gone down well in Italy.
According to The Athletic, Manchester United offered the Serie A outfit a €2million (£1.7m) loan fee which would payable in two instalments. However, the Red Devils also wanted a January break clause included in any deal which would kick in before the payment of the second instalment - meaning Fiorentina could have received just €1m (£859,000) for Amrabat's services.
Unsurprisingly, the proposal was rejected out of hand by Fiorentina, although talks between the two clubs are continuing. The Italian outfit value Amrabat at €35m (£30m) and would prefer a sale but are also open to a loan with an obligation.
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Time is running out for both sides to reach an agreement, with Ten Hag still desperate for further reinforcements ahead of Friday night.
Join the debate! Do you think Amrabat would be a good signing for Man Utd? Let us know here.
Manchester United's opening bid for Sofyan Amrabat has been rejected (Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)Amrabat has been training away from the Fiorentina first-team in recent days and was also left out of the team which will play Rapid Vienna in the first leg of a Europe Conference League play-off.
Italian outlet Quotidiano, via Sport Witness, claimed earlier this week that Manchester United had ' promised' to firm up their interest in the playmaker. It was expected that the Premier League giants would bide their time in a bid to strike a cheaper deal.
Fiorentina chief executive Giuseppe Barone made it clear earlier this month that the club would not stand in Amrabat's way if a suitable proposal was tabled for his services. He told Sky Sports: "Sofyan's not working with the squad — but we have still not received any bid for Amrabat this summer. If there are players who are unhappy here, we can start considering bids for them of course."