Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United have been dealt a major blow after it has been reported that Sofyan Amrabat prefers a move to Atletico Madrid over the Red Devils this summer.
The Moroccan midfielder, currently playing for Serie A side Fiorentina, is thought to be high on Ten Hag’s wishlist for the remainder of the transfer window, with a midfielder and a centre-back two positions that the club are looking to strengthen.
A deal looked to be relatively straightforward, with La Viola asking for just 30m euros to allow the 26-year-old to depart the club before September’s transfer deadline, and Amrabat having already turned down advances from Barcelona, Liverpool and Saudi Arabia.
However, it is not Manchester United that he was holding out for.
As per Spanish outlet Sport, it is instead Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone that the Moroccan midfielder has his heart set on this summer following their inability to conclude a deal for Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Now Simeone’s side, who have already had personal terms agreed with the midfielder, are set to make a 40m euro offer for his services, the report adds, which could see Manchester United forced to look elsewhere.
The two departures would allow United sufficient room to make a move for a new midfielder, while Harry Maguire’s departure will likely see another centre-back arrive at the club in the final weeks of the transfer window.
