Fiorentina reject loan approach from Man Utd for Sofyan Amrabat
- Man Utd have agreed personal terms with Sofyan Amrabat
- United were set to move for Moroccan on a permanent deal but have asked about a loan
- FFP issues are forcing United into alternative methods of signing players
Fiorentina have rejected fresh attempts from Manchester United to sign Sofyan Amrabat on an initial loan before Friday's transfer deadline, 90min understands.
The Moroccan midfielder has been on United's list of targets for the duration of the window, though after the arrivals of Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund earlier this summer, the club have first turned their attention to offloading a number of fringe players to raise funds before moving for Amrabat.
Amrabat has been waiting on United to make their move having already agreed in principle an outline on personal terms, though their struggles in selling players has put the transfer on hold.
United have sold Fred to Fenerbahce but were also looking to offload one of Scott McTominay or Donny van de Beek before going back into the market. However, the pair still remain on the books at Old Trafford despite interest from other clubs.
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West Ham saw a £30m bid for McTominay knocked back a number of weeks ago and have not followed up on their interest, while Real Sociedad have been talking about a potential deal for Van de Beek of late. United prefer a permanent sale of the Dutchman but La Real have been hesitant to commit, preferring a loan deal on their terms because of Van de Beek's recent injury problems.
A deal is not close at this stage, but Lorient have also made their interest known to United in the former Ajax midfielder.
United have been forced to alter their plans for Amrabat as a result of their difficulties in raising funds, and have approached the Serie A side over a potential loan with option to buy. Fiorentina are resigned to Amrabat leaving the club before the window closes but have rebuffed United's loan approach, hoping instead United revert back to their initial plan of signing the player on a permanent deal.
Amrabat has held out for the move to Old Trafford for a number of weeks and is still hopeful the deal goes through, though the ball is now in United's court on how they proceed. Amrabat is Erik ten Hag's preferred target but the club have other alternatives, though Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch is also of interest.
United are also speaking to Chelsea about signing left back Marc Cucurella on loan.
On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss the impact of Luke Shaw and Mason Mount's injuries and whether Erik ten Hag should look to the club's youth players for support.
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