Transfer Centre

Liverpool, Barcelona 'closely monitoring Manchester United midfielder'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 26 March 2024

Liverpool, Barcelona 'closely monitoring Man Utd midfielder'

Liverpool and Barcelona are reportedly among a number of clubs keeping tabs on Manchester United loanee Sofyan Amrabat ahead of the summer transfer window.

Liverpool and Barcelona are reportedly among a number of clubs keeping tabs on Manchester United loanee Sofyan Amrabat.

The Red Devils were heavily linked with a move for the 27-year-old before eventually luring him away from parent club Fiorentina on a season-long loan deal in the closing stages of the summer transfer window.

It is understood that Man United are paying La Viola around €10m (£8.6m) to have Amrabat on a temporary basis and also have the option to recruit the midfielder permanently this summer for €20m (£17.2m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.

Amrabat made the move to Old Trafford following a successful 2022-23 campaign with Fiorentina as well as a standout display with Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, during which the African nation surprisingly progressed to the semi-finals.

However, since joining Man United, Amrabat has failed to reach the heights expected and has started just 13 of his 22 appearances across all competitions.

Manchester United's Sofyan Amrabat on September 26, 2023 © Reuters

Amrabat has fallen down the pecking order under manager Erik ten Hag, having amassed just 24 minutes across Man United's last nine Premier League matches since the turn of the year.

A recent report claims that the Red Devils have decided that they will not be triggering the option to sign Amrabat on a permanent deal, meaning he is set to return to Fiorentina this summer.

Although the Moroccan's spell at Old Trafford has not gone according to plan, a number of European clubs are believed to be interested in his services ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Serie A giants AC Milan have previously been credited with an interest in Amrabat, and according to Fichajes, both Liverpool and Barcelona are also closely monitoring the midfielder's situation.

However, as things stand, the report claims that Atletico Madrid are leading the race for Amrabat's signature, with the midfielder 'closer than ever' to becoming Diego Simeone's first signing of the summer.

Crystal Palace's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in action with Manchester United's Sofyan Amrabat on September 26, 2023 © Reuters

A separate report from The People's Person claims that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp held talks with Amrabat last summer before the Moroccan opted to join Man United.

Liverpool instead turned their attention to Wataru Endo and spent a reported £16m to sign the Japan international from Stuttgart.

Amrabat is one of a plethora of names that have been linked with an exit from Man United this summer, with new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe believed to be planning a squad overhaul.

Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are two more midfielders who are said to be facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford, but Scott McTominay – who has also been linked with a departure – could reportedly be in line for a new contract at the club.