Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat looks set to leave Manchester United when his loan contract expires tonight.
The 27-year-old was on the radar of several European clubs last summer, but he was adamant on joining United on loan from Fiorentina. He eventually got his wish on transfer deadline day.
Amrabat started off his United career from left-back before moving into midfield. However, he struggled to adapt to the higher intensity of the league and found himself on the bench from the start of 2024.
Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo were the preferred picks in midfield for manager Erik ten Hag from February, but Amrabat got his opportunity to impress during the final weeks of the campaign.
With the defensive crisis at centre-back, Casemiro had to fill the void. This paved the way for Amrabat’s impressive end to the campaign which saw him start in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Amrabat made the starting XI in the final four games of the season, but it appears the club have not been convinced to keep him by triggering the buy clause worth £17 million plus £4m in add-ons.
The club’s option to buy will expire tonight alongside his loan contract. With no update thus far, it looks like the hierarchy have decided against prolonging his stay on a long-term basis.
United can of course negotiate a fresh deal to purchase him from Fiorentina, but that appears unlikely in our opinion with reports emerging that Manuel Ugarte is a prime transfer target.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder is personally open to joining the club, but he may not come on the cheap with his huge potential. Paris Saint-Germain may want around £51m.
On top of this, Casemiro looks likely to continue at the club next season.
With this in mind, we don’t see United making a fresh move for Amrabat, who was described as ‘world-class‘ by Morocco head coach Walid Regragui during the 2022 World Cup.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
