Liverpool have reportedly made Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat their top transfer target, and the midfielder is keen to join the Reds..
Amrabat was an important part of Morocco’s memorable World Cup run, as they became the first African team to reach the tournament’s semi-finals, playing every minute in Qatar.
The Fiorentina midfielder has been widely regarded as one of the World Cup’s breakout stars, attracting interest from several top European clubs.
And, according to the French outlet Foot Mercato, who previously reported that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp met with Amrabat’s representatives and will meet again after the World Cup, the German has identified him as his top target alongside England and Borussia Dortmund star..
Klopp is keen to add to his options in central midfield during January and he has made Amrabat a ‘priority’ alongside Bellingham.
Amrabat is under contract with Fiorentina until 2024, but according to Foot Mercato, the club is open to selling him in January and values him at around £40 million.
The midfielder is also reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League, with a transfer to Liverpool his preference..
The Merseyside club have been looking for a central midfielder for some time, having signed Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer before he moved to Real Madrid.
They are widely reported to be the favourites to sign Bellingham, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, and Naby Keita are all out of contract next summer, and Curtis Jones and Fabinho have struggled for fitness and form this season, implying that the Reds may need to sign more than one midfielder..
However, if Liverpool do make a move for Amrabat in January, they are likely to face competition from Tottenham.
The report states Spurs boss Antonio Conte has been keen to sign Amrabat for several seasons..
In fact, Tottenham were reportedly interested in Amrabat in January this year, before instead deciding to sign Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur..
An unnamed German club is also interested in Amrabat, while Atletico Madrid is also a fan of the 26-year-old.
In fact, Amrabat appeared to be tempted by a move to Diego Simeone’s side in a recent interview with Spanish outlet Marca. He said: ‘I’m proud to be linked to top clubs like Barcelona and Atlético. But I’m a Fiorentina player, I respect the club, and I get along well with the president.
Simeone, Diego? We have a good coach at Fiorentina too but… yes, I like El Cholo’s [Simeone’s] style [of play].’
During the World Cup, Amrabat’s agent, Mohammed Sinouh, stated that there is a lot of interest in the midfielder after his spectacular performances in Qatar.
‘Of course, I get a lot of phone calls for Sofyan,’ Sinouh said. The entire world has seen that he is the best World Cup holding midfielder.
Sofyan is a top professional who is focused on Morocco’s World Cup campaign.’
His brother, Nordin, who played for Watford from 2016 to 2018 and now plays for AEK Athens, has also expressed interest in the midfielder, claiming that the top clubs in Europe have finally realized how good he is.
‘I am really, really proud of Sofyan,’ he told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf..
When you play so well on such a big stage – in three games against Croatia, Belgium, and Canada – you’ve got a lot going for you.
‘I believe that the top clubs in Europe that had been sleeping have now awoken. Sofyan was already in talks with Tottenham Hotspur in January, but there was no agreement on the transfer fee with Fiorentina.
‘I think the interested parties will now line up.
Liverpool will play Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on December 22, followed by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Boxing Day..
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