Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara is urging the Premier League giants to sign Fiorentina and Morocco star Sofyan Amrabat after his ‘brilliant’ World Cup campaign, speaking to talkSPORT (14 December, 10.20am).
Four years ago, a dynamic defensive midfielder dragged France over the line in Moscow, outstanding with and without the ball as Les Bleus conquered world football on Russian soil.
Now, Amrabat will not go all the way like N’Golo Kante did in 2018. Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani saw to that on Wednedsay night at the Al Bayt Stadium. But there are certainly unavoidable similarities between the two players.
Much has been made of Amrabat’s wonderful reading of the game, seemingly endless energy reserves, and ferocious tackling; Kylian Mbappe found himself on the wrong end of a classic Amrabat bonecruncher on Wednesday night.
But do not underestimate the 26-year-old’s passing range. He is a dictator and a destroyer rolled into one.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui insisted earlier in the tournament that it is only a matter of time before the ‘world-class’ Amrabat is leaving Fiorentina for one of the biggest clubs on the continent; Liverpool reportedly holding talks with his representatives (Florian Plettenberg).
Tottenham, meanwhile, missed out on a bargain deal in January; a fact confirmed by Amrabat’s older brother.
And, as interest rises on the back of a breakout campaign in Qatar, O’Hara is urging Spurs to renew their interest before it’s too late.
Could Tottenham Hotspur beat Liverpool to Morocco and Serie A star Sofyan Amrabat?
“He’s been fantastic,” O’Hara says, quipping that Amrabat’s superb defensive awareness is ideal for a Spurs side who tend to sacrifice possession under Antonio Conte.
“He’s perfect for Tottenham. We never have the ball! His overall performances for me throughout the whole tournament, he’s been brilliant. He would be a good player to have as a squad player.
“We’ve got similar players, like (Pierre-Emile) Hojbjerg. I am a massive fan of Hojbjerg.”
Amrabat is reportedly valued at around £35 million. The former Feyenoord youngster’s agent, meanwhile, is not surprised to see his client attract such interest; speculation going hand-in-hand with a series of standout performances on football’s loftiest stage.
“We will see,” Mo Sinouh explains. “I understand that you want answers about that. The World Cup is a good stage, and he has proven himself. We will see where it leads. But he still has a contract with Fiorentina, and we respect that.”
“The World Cup is as important a tournament as the Champions League. Maybe even bigger. It is normal that Sofyan is the centre of attention, given how he is playing in this competition.
“Of course, I get a lot of phone calls for Sofyan. The whole world has seen he’s the best holding midfielder of the World Cup. Sofyan is a top professional. (But) he is focusing on the World Cup with Morocco.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
