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Sofyan Amrabat will remain in England despite Manchester United not wanting to sign him permanently after his loan deal expires at the end of the season.
The Morocco international joined United from Fiorentina on deadline day last September, following a protracted pursuit that spanned the summer, at the behest of Erik ten Hag.
Old Trafford officials eventually reached a compromise with their Italian counterparts as an £8.5m loan deal with an option to buy for £21.4m was agreed. But it is a reflection of Amrabat’s underwhelming season in Manchester that there is no indication the club want to exercise this clause this summer.
While this isn’t necessarily his fault, given that Ten Hague’s side have struggled across the board this year, it’s clear that Amrabat doesn’t possess the necessary speed or technical skill to thrive in midfield at a top club.
United are right to look at other midfield options this summer as the club look to overhaul their first-team squad after a historically poor season.
However, these struggles have not deterred clubs further down the league, with not one but two teams expressing an active interest in signing Amrabat this summer.
The sun reports that both Crystal Palace and Fulham have scouted the 27-year-old midfielder in recent weeks, with their recruitment teams impressed by their revelations.
United traveled to Selhurst Park two weeks ago and were hammered 4-0 by Oliver Glasner’s wild side.
Despite this attack, Palace sources reveal that the London club were impressed with Amrabat, who came off the bench immediately after the fourth goal. Palace were unable to increase the score with the Moroccan on the field.
Similarly, The sun confirms reports previously carried by Fulham folk for Amrabat, with the Cottagers launching plans to replace João Palhinho – the Portuguese midfielder previously wanted by both Bayern Munich and Liverpool, who came extremely close to joining the German club last summer.
Amrabat’s current contract with Fiorentina expires in 2025, meaning he will enter the final year of his deal this summer. The Moroccan also left Florence unceremoniously and Viola will want to offload him permanently to free up funds elsewhere.
As such, both Palace and Fulham are likely to be able to strike a bargain for a player seemingly not wanted by either his loanee or parent club.
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