Liverpool transfer news: £35m star now has agreement to move from June

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Fiorentina and Sofyan Amrabat now have an agreement in place to facilitate a transfer this summer. Barcelona and Liverpool are currently favourites to sign the Morocco midfielder.

That is according to Calciomercato, which reports Barcelona and Liverpool are on the front row for the transfer of Amrabat. The La Liga and Premier League clubs are ready to fight to sign the 26-year-old. But a potential switch to Camp Nou during January did appeal to him.

Barcelona made a serious push on deadline day to sign Amrabat from his Serie A side. But the Catalan giants failed to entice Viola president Rocco Commisso having only asked for a loan deal. Camp Nou chiefs sought a temporary move which also carried an option to buy.

Fiorentina firmly rejected Barcelona’s offer but their pursuit caused problems at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. A chance to go to Camp Nou captivated Amrabat and he pushed I Viola to take the deal on the table. His agent also pressed for the deal but Commisso did not yield.

Instead, general manager Joe Barone and Amrabat reached the agreement that Fiorentina will consider his transfer from June. Barone did not put the promise in writing, so it will be on his word that I Viola commit to it. Yet it was enough to get Amrabat to stay this season.

Liverpool transfer target Amrabat apologised to Fiorentina for wanting Barcelona

Amrabat has also apologised to his Fiorentina teammates and manager, Vincenzo Italiano, for pushing Commisso and Barone to accept Barcelona’s offer for his January transfer, per Sport Mediaset. His actions proved enough to remove any tensions among the Viola camp.

Further, Sport Mediaset added that Barcelona’s bid included a €35m (£31m) option to buy. Add-ons could have taken the ultimate price of Amrabat’s transfer up to €40m (£35m). But it was not enough to get Commisso and Barone to let the Moroccan leave on deadline day.

Now, Barcelona must battle Liverpool for Amrabat’s transfer from Fiorentina at the end of the season. Yet the both face a far easier route to a deal if Barone sticks to his word. Even if I Viola extend Amrabat’s contract, as Corriere Fiorentino reported in December is likely.

Amrabat’s current contract is set to expire in June 2024 but it includes an option to extend by 12 months. Fiorentina plan to activate the clause following his impressive efforts at the World Cup, during which Roy Keane called him ‘outstanding’ after reaching the semi-finals.