Man Utd: Al-Ahli ‘hope’ to hijack transfer for Ten Hag favourite in bid to sign more ‘renowned players’
Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli are reportedly interested in signing Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who has been linked with a move to Man Utd.
The Red Devils are expected to make Amrabat their number-one transfer target when they complete the signing of Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund is reportedly close to joining the Premier League club for around £73million. He is set to join fellow new signings Mason Mount and Andre Onana at Old Trafford.
It has been another ambitious summer transfer window under Erik ten Hag, who has bought pretty wisely since making the move from Ajax at the end of 2021/22.
Amrabat is believed to be available for around £30m and he would likely come in to provide competition for Casemiro.
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Ten Hag knows the Moroccan international well having managed him at Utrecht.
The Netherlands-born midfielder made 50 appearances under Ten Hag, scoring one goal and providing ten assists.
Clearly still a big fan of the player, the Dutch manager might be a bit nervous amidst interest from Al-Ahli.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, the Saudi Pro League club ‘hopes to sign’ Amrabat this summer.
As relayed by Get French Football News, Al-Ahli want more ‘renowned players’ having completed the signings of Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, and Allan Saint-Maximin.
They are ‘pushing’ to beat Man Utd in the race for Amrabat, who is now ‘firmly on their radar’, though there is interest also coming from Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid.
It is not all doom and gloom for Man Utd fans, however, as Sport Italia journalist Alfredo Pedulla says Amrabat only wants a reunion with Ten Hag.
In a brief story about Al-Ahli’s reported interest, Pedulla said the player ‘has an agreement’ with Man Utd.
‘Sofyan Amrabat has prioritised Manchester United,’ he wrote. ‘And we say this with the utmost respect for L’Equipe who has just relaunched a pressing of Al Ahli for the Moroccan midfielder.
‘We do not dispute that they are trying, Arab tracks were already in action several weeks ago and had proposed a high engagement to the Moroccan. But Amrabat has an agreement with Manchester United, the two clubs have already spoken to each other, now the Red Devils must close some exits.
‘But the Moroccan midfielder remains the first name on Ten Hag’s list. Any inclusion would have reason to exist only if United renounced, which at this time we do not know.’
It has also been reported by Italian journalist Firenze Viola that Fiorentina and Man Utd are getting closer to agreeing a transfer fee.
The Florence outfit seem pretty desperate for cash, though there is no mention of a fee here.
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