Sofyan Amrabat was subject to reported interest from Liverpool after his impressive performance in the 2022 World Cup, but the midfielder had a brief message for the Premier League side
Sofyan Amrabat was decisively clear in his intention to reject Liverpool before signing for Manchester United. The midfielder, 28, was a player in demand after his impressive performances for Morocco in the 2022 World Cup as the African nation made it all the way to the semi-finals.
Playing for Fiorentina at the time, among Amrabat’s reported suitors were the Premier League side, then led by Jurgen Klopp, as well as the Red Devils, who were heading into their second season under Erik ten Hag.
The tough-tackling midfielder looked to have been an ideal fit for the Reds, given they eventually parted ways with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who left Anfield for the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2023.
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Having been with the Italian side since 2020, the Serie A outfit were ready to cash in on their star player, given his lofty value, with the club willing to sell Amrabat should a team meet their £25.8million (€30m) asking price.
While United’s number one target was to buy a new No. 9 – which they eventually did in Rasmus Hojlund – Ten Hag was said to have been targeting additional reinforcements in midfield following the £60m signing of Mason Mount, with Amrabat among his targets.
The Dutchman was certainly familiar with Amrabat’s game given he’d come through the academy of FC Utrecht while the current Bayer Leverkusen boss managed the Eredivisie side.
The familiarity between the pair not only worked in United’s favour but damaged Liverpool’s transfer plans simultaneously. According to Corriere della Sera, via GFNI, Amrabat told Klopp he wouldn’t be signing for him because he favoured the idea of reuniting with Ten Hag at the Theatre of Dreams.
After joining on loan for the 2023/24 season, he made 30 appearances in all competitions for United. Despite failing to impress for much of his stint, he improved at the end of the season and was praised for his performance in United’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
United opted not to sign him permanently, as he then joined Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on loan last season before securing a permanent transfer to the Turkish giants this summer.
Following his departure from the Premier League, he opened up about his exit and claimed Ten Hag wanted to keep him, but a deal could not be agreed upon for his return.
Ahead of United’s Europa League clash against Fenerbahce last year, he told The Mail: “I have a special relationship with Ten Hag since I was a 20-year-old at Utrecht. He wanted to keep me this summer so I wish him the best but not for Thursday. I hope they lose.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
