Man Utd's Amrabat hopes hang in the balance after Brentford transfer bid

Tom Weber

23 Aug 2023 09:41 CDT
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Brentford have submitted a huge bid to Fiorentina, and it could have serious repercussions for Manchester United's hopes of landing Sofyan Amrabat.

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The Red Devils are facing a race against time if they wish to bring Erik ten Hag's priority target to Old Trafford. United have been eyeing the Moroccan since before the transfer window officially opened, already agreeing terms with him in June.

No concrete steps have been taken to actually sign him, however, because of the lack of funds raised from outgoings. The expectation at the beginning of the window was that the likes of Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek would all depart and flush some decent money into Man Utd's coffers, but things have not panned out that way.

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All three of them are still on the books at United and only Anthony Elanga has delivered double-digit millions with his move to Nottingham Forest. Having spent almost €200 million on signings, United are now considering making a loan move for Ryan Gravenberch instead, as confirmed by FootballTransfers sources.

Brentford bid the final nail in the coffin?

Brentford, meanwhile, have submitted a sizeable offer to Fiorentina which could put the final nail in the coffin of Man Utd's Amrabat hopes. The Bees didn't approach the Serie A club for the 26-year-old, however.

Instead, according to Fabrizio Romano, they have made a second offer for forward Nico Gonzalez 'in excess of €40m.' What does this have to do with Amrabat?

Well, such a massive fee takes the pressure off Fiorentina to sell their star man or to lower their asking price - if they accept it, that is. United are unable to match their demands unless they manage to offload some more players for big money in the final days of the window.

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Selling Gonzalez means that Fiorentina don't have to consider budging from their valuation for fear that an expensive wantaway will be stuck on their books. They will have the money to pay Amrabat even if he doesn't play and they could even try to offer him a better deal in hopes of persuading him to stay.