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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Steven Railston

Why Sofyan Amrabat's transfer to Manchester United collapsed before Marcel Sabitzer arrival

Manchester United tried to sign midfielder Sofyan Amrabat in January but Fiorentina rejected the terms of the proposed deal.

Amrabat, 26, started every game for Morroco at the World Cup in Qatar. He was a breakout star at the tournament and he was key in his nation defying expectations to reach the semi-finals, where they fell short against France in a 2-0 defeat.

After the World Cup, Amrabat, whose contract with Fiorentina expires this summer, was subject to interest from multiple European clubs and United attempted to sign him on loan after Christian Eriksen sustained an ankle injury.

ALSO READ: Christian Eriksen gives update on recovery from injury

United approached Fiorentina to sign Amrabat on loan with an option to buy but the Italian club rejected that proposal.

“I can name three clubs who were concrete in the last two or three days of the transfer window," the player's brother, Nordin Amrabat, told Voetbalprimeur. “Manchester United wanted a loan with an option to buy deal, Fiorentina rejected.”

United signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich, with no option to buy, after Fiorentina rejected their approach. Sabitzer is understood to be happy at Old Trafford and could eventually sign a permanent deal after the conclusion of his loan.

However, the player has been thrown a lifeline at Bayern Munich following the sacking of Julian Nagelsmann last week. Thomas Tuchel has replaced Nagelsmann at the German club and Sabitzer will get the chance to make an impression in pre-season.

Amrabat has made 20 league starts for Fiorentina this term but he's expected to leave on a free transfer in the summer.

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