Amrabat nears Man Utd as Van de Beek interest CONFIRMED

Robin Bairner

10 Aug 2023 07:36 BST
4 min read

Sofyan Amrabat, Donny van de Beek, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © ProShots

Manchester United’s prospects of landing Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina look increasingly positive as the Old Trafford clubs makes way in its midfield for the Morocco international star, with Donny van de Beek nearing an exit from the club.

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Real Sociedad are still working on a solution that will allow them to complete a transfer for Van de Beek, with the Spanish club now confessing to an interest in the player.

Man Utd need to make sales in order to raise the funds to complete a transfer from Amrabat while they also need a create space in their squad for it to happen, and the Netherlands international departing the club would be a significant step in this challenge.

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Harry Maguire appears to be destined to sign for West Ham for a fee in the region of €35 million (£30m), which would provide the money for the deal. Van de Beek’s departure – which may come in the form of a loan deal – would help provide space in the squad as well as free up additional wage budget.

Amrabat, who is also wanted by Juventus, is reported to have agreed personal terms with Man Utd but the club have not opened formal negotiations with Fiorentina over a transfer yet as they aim to build the finances to complete a deal after signing Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund so far this summer.

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Real Sociedad confirm Van de Beek interest

Noticias de Gipuzkoa reports that an “authorised” voice from Real Sociedad as acknowledged that the club are contemplating the possibility of both a permanent transfer and a loan deal that has a purchase option attached to it.

Sociedad are more interested in a low deal, believing that it brings them fewer risks, but Man Utd are pushing for Van de Beek to leave the club permanently after a €39m transfer from Ajax in 2020 that has proven to be a flop. This could be via a transfer or a loan with a mandatory purchase clause.

It is noted by the Basque source that an agreement “does not seem to be too imminent”.

Indeed, Real Sociedad have other options available, with Manchester City midfielder James McAtee and Dinamo Moscow’s Arsen Zakharyan, who has interested Chelsea, both potential signings.

If the LaLiga club were to go down this route, it would not derail Man Utd’s hopes of signing Amrabat, but it would complicate them.