This is not what I expected so it’s better I leave for a better atmosphere – Sofyan Amrabat
The latest Manchester United transfer news as the Reds decided against triggering an option in the midfielder’s loan deal but could yet negotiate another deal to bring him back to Old Trafford.
Sofyan Amrabat during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
Sofyan Amrabat during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium
Former Manchester United loanee Sofyan Amrabat has taken to social media to send a message following his exit from Old Trafford.
The midfielder joined United on loan from Serie A club Fiorentina last summer. The deal included an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for €20million (£16.8m) rising to €25m (£21.8m), but United have decided not to trigger that option with suggestions that they could try to renegotiate the price to sign the player.
Amrabat is keen to make the move to Old Trafford permanent. In a bid to try and force through a move, he has been absent from at least part of pre-season training with Fiorentina.
That’s not to say he’s not working hard on his fitness as he prepares for the new season. Amrabat posted a video on social media this week showing him doing work in the gym, lifting weights and on the exercise bike, the video then ends with him running outside.
Some of the work he is doing shows him in what appears to be United training shorts. They do however have the squad number 20 on them, the number worn by Diogo Dalot since the 2018/19 season.
Alongside the video, Amrabat wrote the caption: “Train insane or remain the same #ready.”
The 27-year-old played 30 times in all competitions for United last season, although a lot of those came from the bench, especially in the Premier League. If United make a move to re-sign the Moroccan it could depend on their success in a chase for Paris Saint Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
It is claimed that the Uruguay international has agreed personal terms with the club. If that is true, then United will now be working on finding an agreement with PSG.
Ugarte plays in the same position as Amrabat. He could potentially be seen as a replacement for the midfielder following his return to his parent club.
Manchester United should ensure they beat rivals Manchester City in the race for Crystal Palace playmaker Ebere Eze, according to one of their iconic former players.
Eze honed his craft in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers before stepping up to the Premier League in August 2020 by joining Crystal Palace. The attacking midfielder is the latest former Championship star to make a big impact for Palace in the top flight, having established himself as an exciting and classy performer.
Both Michael Olise and Eze were affected by injuries last term, but the latter still managed 11 goals and six assists in 31 matches across all competitions.
Eze did enough to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros and he went on to feature three times as the Three Lions were beaten by Spain in the final.
Palace may have managed to tie the 26-year-old down to a long-term contract, which runs for another three years, but they are at risk of losing him this summer.
Olise has already left for Bayern Munich in a £52million deal, and now ex-Man Utd striker Dwight Yorke has told the Red Devils to raid Palace for Eze.
Yorke bemoaned the fact that Man Utd did not swoop for both of Palace’s superstars, while also explaining how club legend Sir Alex Ferguson would have seen what Eze is capable of.
“If they fail to land Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, United should bid £50m for Eberechi Eze this summer,” Yorke said in a new interview.
Man Utd latest: Yorke recommends Eze capture
“He has shown that he is a good player but hasn’t quite proven everything he needs to prove just yet.
“But if you look at his career so far he has proven that he is hungry for success. It’s how I felt when I was young, you crave success and you crave to be at the biggest clubs.
“These are little traits that you look for in your players, not just the playing style, which is something I learned from Sir Alex.
“You look for those who crave success, people who really want to work hard and be successful.
“He’s been through so much when you look at his story of being let go by other clubs and then getting to Crystal Palace and now [the] England set up. You don’t get into England squads if you’re not a good player. It’s your show.
“I think if United were to go and bid £50m, that would be more than adequate. Crystal Palace would be crazy to think that he’s worth much more than that.
Palace star could ‘force’ Old Trafford switch
“Then the player would go to his agent and try to force the move through because, no disrespect to Palace, United is too big of a club to turn down.
“He is the kind of player United need, he’s creative, he is brave on the ball and has ability, he would blossom, there’s no two ways about that.
“This kid is a really good talent and obviously United have already missed out on Michael Olise, there should’ve been a £100m bid for both of them.”
Man City would be seriously concerned if Man Utd burst into the race for Eze. On Monday, it emerged that City have eased past Tottenham Hotspur and are now in a strong position to sign Eze in a £68m transfer.
But Man Utd chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe is in the midst of a transfer rampage, and he would be able to provide City with stern competition for the creative talent.
One way Man Utd could convince Eze to choose them over City is by reiterating how the player is more likely to start for them on a regular basis than under Pep Guardiola. Although, it is clear that City’s ability to win regular trophies will make them hard for Eze to turn down.
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