Fabrizio Romano has revealed Manchester United’s deadline-day backup option for Sofyan Amrabat had the deal collapsed. The Morrocan was signed just hours before the curtains fell on the 2023 summer transfer window.
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Manchester United’s Sofyan Amrabat Alternative Revealed
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The Player Still Remains on the Club’s List
The Red Devils got their hands on their priority target on the final day of this summer’s transfer window. Amrabat was linked with the Old Trafford outfit for a major chunk of the transfer window. The Morocco international made his desire to move to Manchester very clear at the start of the transfer window. On deadline day, the 27-year-old was announced as a new player for them. The Premier League club struck a loan deal with a buy option for the player with Fiorentina with a loan fee in the region of £8.5 million.
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The transfer of the combative midfielder was not sealed before the deadline day and the three-time Champions League winners already had a backup plan chalked out. According to reports, although the Fiorentina man was the priority midfield target, the United management had a “brilliant” player on their radar and contacts were made with his team. The deal never came to fruition as the Amrabat deal eventually materialised, however, it is reported that the player is still being scouted and remains on their radar.
Youssouf Fofana Was United’s Amrabat Alternative
According to Romano, the Premier League giants had already planned for the possibility of the Amrabat deal collapsing on the transfer deadline day, something he called a “man uts secret”. Monaco midfielder, Fofana was the player eyed as the potential plan B. United contacted the French club in the last week of the transfer window to enquire about the 24-year-old midfielder. The 20-time Premier League champions wanted to sign the Frenchman on a loan deal with an option to buy and were willing to cover 100% of his salary for the 2023/24 season.
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According to reports, Italian giants Inter Milan were also keen on signing the player and wanted the same deal as the English team. However, after internal talks and careful consideration, the Ligue 1 side turned down the approaches of both European heavyweights as they wanted to keep their star midfielder for another season. The Italian journalist said that although a deal was not reached this summer, Erik ten Hag’s team will continue to monitor the Paris-born player and he will remain on their shortlist.
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