Former Manchester United loanee set for Fenerbahce switch despite receiving call from Atleti’s Diego Simeone

FLORENCE, ITALY - AUGUST 25: Fabiano Parisi, Sofyan Amrabat and head coach Raffaele Palladino, manager of ACF Fiorentina, show dejection during the Serie match between Fiorentina and Venezia at Stadio Artemio Franchi on August 25, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Turkish giants Fenerbahce reportedly agreed to sign Morocco international Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina, despite the midfielder being linked with a return to Manchester United.

The links to United died down in recent weeks as it became clear that the club would prioritise a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte.

Amrabat spent last season on loan at United and struggled to settle before putting in several impressive performances towards the end of the season, including an incredible display against Man City in the FA Cup final.

Amrabat returned to Fiorentina after the FA Cup but his intentions were always to leave the Italian club.

According to Sports Digitale’s Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Fenerbahce has an agreement in place to sign Amrabat from Fiorentina on a permanent transfer.

The 28-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his Fiorentina deal, so it makes sense for them to cash in now rather than lose the midfielder for free next year.

However, Amrabat started in Fiorentina’s first two Serie A matches this season. He was also selected as a starter by Raffaele Palladino in Thursday night’s Europa Conference League play-off second leg against Puskas Akademia.

In a fresh update from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, it emerged that Amrabat’s private flight to Istanbul is being planned as he will join Fenerbahce where he’s going to work under Jose Mourinho.

Romano adds that Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone called Amrabat but they’ve only offered a straight loan which was rejected by Fiorentina.

I was never convinced that United would go back in for Amrabat because he didn’t perform consistently enough last season.

Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.