Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is attracting interest from Premier League clubs, with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag said to be among his admirers.
Sofyan Amrabat, 26, was one of Morocco’s star performers at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, helping the African nation qualify for the semi-finals for the first time in its history. The defensive midfielder has seen his stock continue to rise as Fiorentina made it through to the Europa Conference League final, only to lose to West Ham 2-1 in Prague.
With no shortage of potential suitors, Amrabat spoke about his future before Fiorentina’s Europa League Conference final against West Ham.
He said: “Of course, the Premier League is a fantastic league and one of the strongest in the world. It would be nice to play there, one day, but it’s not that I want only to go to England, because Spain is nice, Serie A is a nice league.
“Football has changed a lot, it’s more physical. You have to be an athlete, the tempo and intensity is higher.
“Of course, in England the intensity is very high. I think it could suit me.”
On that note, here are three Premier League clubs who should target Sofyan Amrabat in this upcoming summer transfer window.
#Manchester United
Nordin Amrabat, Sofyan’s brother, recently claimed that Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is ‘charmed’ by the Fiorentina midfielder.
Sofyan Amrabat began his professional career with FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie and was managed by Ten Hag. The Dutch tactician wants to take Man United back to competing for major honours in the next couple of years and is eyeing at least two midfield signings this summer.
Amrabat is among a number of midfielders linked with a move to United. The Moroccan international would be a welcome addition to Ten Hag’s midfield ranks, with Marcel Sabitzer set to return to Bayern Munich after his loan expired and Scott McTominay attracting interest from Newcastle United. He would offer United physicality, robustness and energy, which the Red Devils lacked at the fag end of this past season.
Thus, United would be wise to table an offer for Amrabat.
#Liverpool
Liverpool have been long overdue for a midfield refit. They have already completed the signing of Alexis Mac Allister in a £35m deal from Brighton and remain eager to make more additions to their midfield unit following the departures of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
With Fabinho turning into a shadow of his former self this past season and Jordan Henderson ageing, the Reds could do well by targeting Sofyan Amrabat. The Fiorentina man perfectly fits the profile of what Jurgen Klopp needs in the centre of the pitch moving forward.
Amrabat is a tenacious presence with the ability to progress the ball and cover a lot of ground. He is athletic, tenacious and works extremely hard off the ball—attributes that felt so lacking in Liverpool’s midfielders in 2022/23.
#Arsenal
Mikel Arteta, after mounting a serious title challenge this past season, will be looking to strengthen in key areas and ensure Arsenal’s solid position next term. Arsenal must build upon their last term’s efforts and reports suggest they intend to do exactly that, with West Ham skipper Declan Rice a top target of Mikel Arteta.
Rice would cost a lot of money, and with Arteta planning for Granit Xhaka’s departure, the Gunners may have to look for the Swiss star’s replacement as well. Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat may not be a like-for-like Xhaka replacement but he could add a lot of value to Arteta’s squad.
Operating as a defensive midfielder, Amrabat would be a solid addition to Arsenal’s cohesive engine room—usually consisting of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard—and provide more energy and steel. He is tireless and press-resistant, more than capable of replacing Xhaka in the middle of the park.
If Sofyan Amrabat can be sealed alongside Rice, the Gunners’ midfield unit could be transformed next season.