On the final day of the transfer window, the Moroccan midfielder joined Manchester United, but Erik ten Hag’s team once again overpaid.
Manchester United has a history of taking their time with moves, and while much of their business this summer was completed quickly, their acquisition of Sofyan Amrabat was anything but.
In order to provide Casemiro the cover and competition he so desperately needs, Erik ten Hag made no secret of his desire to strengthen his midfield unit’s defense.
Amrabat’s name frequently appeared in gossip publications, and the 27-year-old was frequently associated with the Reds, as well as clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona. He was more than willing to depart, and Fiorentina appeared to be eager to cash in for the proper price, so why wasn’t it done sooner?
It’s vital to avoid oversimplifying the signing process because contemporary fans frequently utilize video games as a stand-in for reality. But United shown how swiftly they can close a deal when they signed Mason Mount and Andre Onana.
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It’s also important to note that during the preseason tour, a United official flinched when Amrabat’s name was mentioned. But United’s victory over Wolves on the first day of the season made it clear they needed to improve their alternatives in the center of the field.
Despite what was evident at Old Trafford on August 14, United waited until the last day of the window to add to their midfield ranks once more, and as a result, they paid the price.
Deals that have a deadline day have a desperate atmosphere throughout. Selling teams must get every last penny in order to justify losing a player without having enough time to replace him, while buying clubs are rushing to cover the last voids in their squad.
United could only sign Amrabat on a season-long loan due to financial constraints, with the possibility of a future permanent agreement. According to reports, they offered to pay a €2 million loan fee for the midfielder but ultimately paid five times that amount.
In a recent interview with Tuttomercatoweb, former sporting director Pino Vitale said, “I don’t believe in the €10 million loan; we’ll see in the budget. “Because it doesn’t make much sense to me if they wanted to donate €2 million but in the end they raised €10 million overall.
If there really is €10 million in Fiorentina’s final budget, I’ll rethink my mind, but until I see it, I don’t believe it.
The potential to make the loan permanent raises additional concerns, even if €10 million is a high cost for a loan agreement – almost the same amount that Chelsea paid Atletico Madrid for Joao Felix last season. Amrabat could be acquired by United for €25 million plus €5 million in add-ons if they were pleased with his performance in his first season with them.
Amrabat’s Fiorentina contract is slated to expire in the summer of 2019, though the Italian club has the option to extend it by an additional 12 months. That will probably be carried out regardless of his future to preserve some worth.
However, that would effectively mean that United could pay €35 million plus €5 million in add-ons. That seems like a lot to spend for a player whose contract will expire after one year.
The argument that Ten Hag obtained the individual he desired is a reasonable one, although some supporters won’t be very interested in the details. Amrabat is a great player and will provide the midfield some much-needed grit.
However, the deal is not particularly advantageous financially for United, and it is by no means proof that they have abandoned their reputation in the transfer market.
