MANCHESTER UNITED have received a significant boost in their attempts to sign Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, according to reports.
Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport report that La Viola have slashed their asking price to £21million amid United’s interest in the midfielder.
GettyAmrabat is currently training alone at Fiorentina[/caption]
The news comes after Fiorentina head coach Vincenzo Italiano confirmed that Amrabat did not travel with the squad for their Europa Conference League qualifier against Rapid Vienna.
Italiano appeared to take a dig at Amrabat when assessing his squad ahead of the game and said: “There are still a few days left until the end of the transfer market. I only see guys who are happy to be part of this team, so let’s go ahead and work.”
He then added: “Amrabat will work separately, he stayed in Florence and in these two days he will follow his own program.”
Fiorentina reached last year’s Conference League final before losing 1-0 to West Ham so losing their captain for tonight’s clash will not only be a huge blow but suggests Amrabat is nailed on to leave this summer.
Amrabat’s isolation from the squad and rumoured drop in asking price will come as a boost for United as they are still weighing up a move for the midfielder.
Sun Sport reported yesterday that United have switched priorities from signing a midfielder to a striker after United’s investigation into Mason Greenwood concluded that the forward would leave the club.
The club will use the bulk of their funds to bring in a forward to replace Greenwood before weighing up a deal for Amrabat.
The Red Devils had expected to pay around £34m for the Morocco midfielder – so the rumoured drop in price will make a move for Amrabat more likely.
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United boss Erik ten Hag worked with the midfielder between 2015 and 2017 at Utrecht in the Netherlands and remains a big fan of the player.
Last week Fiorentina’s sporting director Daniele Prade told the club’s YouTube channel: “The situation is clear, he wants to join a top club and we want to satisfy him.
“But if we receive no offers, he will stay with us. We don’t have a player like him in the team.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool have also been eyeing a move for Amrabat and could yet rival United in a deal if the club continues to drag its heels.