On deadline day, Manchester United might be poised to finalize the acquisition of Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina.
FEATURED VIDEO
After previously signing goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce, United is rushing to try and complete deals for Amrabat and Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon before the window ends.
Amrabat, a Moroccan international, was offered a loan by United on Thursday, but Fiorentina declined.
According to The Athletic, the offer was for a loan agreement, with Erik ten Hag’s team requesting a €2 million loan fee. The cost would be divided in half, with United merely need to pay €1 million prior to January and a break clause.
Due to the guaranteed amount they were given, Fiorentina rejected the offer. It is believed that they would have preferred a permanent sale of Amrabat or a loan with an obligation to purchase.
On Thursday night, United and Fiorentina went back to the bargaining table and made progress. According to 90 Minutes writer Graeme Bailey, a deal was reached over a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.
Amrabat has apparently already agreed on personal terms with the Premier League team and is now scheduled to fly to Manchester on Friday morning to have a medical with United.
A private plane has reportedly been reserved to transport Amrabat to the UK, according to The Manchester Evening News.
A plane with the registration number EUW944 is scheduled to take off from Amerigo Vespucci Airport in Florence at 1130am local time on Friday morning and land at Manchester Airport around an hour and 20 minutes later.
“A private jet has been booked from Florence to arrive at Manchester Airport on Friday afternoon amid United’s interest in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat,” read the MEN’s report.
“A boutique jet is scheduled to touch down at Manchester Airport at 12.52pm on Friday afternoon and United have not denied the possibility they have arranged the private jet.”
Amrabat played under Erik ten Hag at Utrecht early in his career. This summer, Amrabat was also connected with Liverpool and Bayern Munich. However, it now appears like United will win the race to sign Amrabat.
Nordin Amrabat, a former Watford star and Sofyan’s brother, claimed earlier this year in an interview with ESPN that Ten Hag’s influence may make the difference in the race to acquire the midfielder.
“Ten Hag is now looking for a striker, he wants that first,” he declared.
He will discover what is feasible from there. However, I am aware that Ten Hag is won over by my brother because he got through to him and they get along well.
It seems like this may be the #Amrabat flight, booked for a 11:30am departure. #DeadlineDay 👹 pic.twitter.com/yJLGOO98Jd
— Mase (@MUFC_Mase) September 1, 2023
