Man Utd ‘double insult’ avoided by Serie A club; ‘late’ move for PL star revealed after €35m agreement

Lewis Oldham
Man Utd newbie Amrabat
Sofyan Amrabat in action for Fiorentina.

According to reports, Serie A outfit Fiorentina ‘agreed’ to a contract extension with Sofyan Amrabat before the midfielder joined Manchester United on loan.

The Red Devils spent around £175m during the summer transfer window as they signed Amrabat, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund, Jonny Evans, Sergio Reguilon and Altay Bayindir.

Amrabat, Reguilon and Bayindir were recruited just before the transfer window closed as Erik ten Hag’s final three summer priorities were ticked off.

The Fiorentina midfielder was one of Ten Hag’s top targets during the transfer window but they were unable to move for him until deadline day because they were attempting to work around their Financial Fair Play issues.

They were eventually able to agree to a loan deal with Fiorentina which includes the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Italian outlet Il Tirreno are reporting that ‘should the Red Devils fail to sign the midfielder’ permanently in 2024, Fiorentina have ‘reserved the automatic right to a further contract extension until 2026’ (his current deal expires in 2025).

This is wise of Fiorentina as it enables them to retain Amrabat’s current value and they ‘would not risk a double insult’ (Man Utd turning down a permanent deal and the Italian outfit eventually losing him for a reduced fee).

The fee for Amrabat is said to be ’10 million [euros] in onerous loan and right of redemption at 20 million, to which a further 5 million in bonuses may be added’.

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Before Man Utd signed Reguilon from Tottenham on loan, they were looking at Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and Football Insider are reporting that they made a ‘late move’ for Brentford’s Rico Henry. The report adds.

‘Man United made late overtures over a potential deal for Brentford left-back Rico Henry in the summer window, sources have told Football Insider.

‘The Bees had been aware of growing interest in the defender, 26, during the main transfer window. And top Premier League clubs, including Man United, are now interested in signing Henry and ready to step up that interest.

‘However, the Red Devils could not get a deal for the Brentford star over the line and instead signed Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon.

‘It is believed Henry is on the fringes of the England squad with Luke Shaw currently out of action with a serious injury. A well-placed source has revealed that the left-back is “definitely” in the plans of Gareth Southgate.’

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