Fiorentina have been urged to keep Morocco’s World Cup star Sofyan Amrabat amid interest from Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, Italian agent Furio Valcareggi telling Tuttomercatoweb that the midfielder could soon be worth £50 million.
He may be small in size, but Amrabat produced a giant’s performance as Morocco knocked Spain out of the Qatar World Cup on Tuesday afternoon.
In fact, if you’re not totally au fait with the ever-changing rules of modern football, you’d be forgiven for wondering if cloning is now permitted within FIFA legislation. There appeared to be five Armrabat’s on the field at the same time at the Education City Stadium; Fiorentina’s former Feyenoord enforcer putting out more fires than a Fireman Sam boxset as Spain struggled to find a way past Morocco’s seemingly omnipotent number four.
It was the sort of tireless, all-action central midfield performance which had Morocco coach Walid Regragui labelling Amrabat ‘world-class’ earlier in the tournament.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Liverpool have taken notice of Amrabat’s performances in Qatar. Tottenham, meanwhile, have not yet given up hope of securing the 26-year-old’s signature. Antonio Conte’s side missed out on a bargain £12.5 million deal in a previous window (Viola News).
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur like Morocco’s World Cup hero Sofyan Amrabat
“(The rise in interest) had to be expected. Now, he’s playing well,” says Valcareggi, who represents the likes of Napoli youngster Alessio Zerbin in Italy’s top flight.
Amrabat will reportedly cost around £25 million these days. Fiorentina, Valcareggi adds, should resist any offers in January. Amrabat’s price-tag, he believes, may will increase even further in the coming months.
“I think Fiorentina will keep him. In June, he could be worth 50 million. I’d keep him. The (Fiorentina owners) don’t need money. They need to win.”
Morocco, beating Spain on penalty kicks after 120 tense minutes, have now set up a quarter-final meeting with Portugal on Saturday. Fernando Santos’ side dropped titan-turned-troublemaker Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench for the last-16 clash with Switzerland. And they were rewarded by a fluid and thrilling performance in the 37-year-old’s absence.
Goncalo Ramos marked his full World Cup debut with a hat-trick in a 6-1 win.
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