Sofyan Amrabat has shared how Barcelona and Liverpool tried to bring him on board during the summer of 2023. Despite the interest from two of Europe's elite, the deals didn’t materialise, and the midfielder ultimately joined Manchester United on loan.
Sitting down with Voetbal International, Amrabat recounted how Barcelona had proposed a loan deal with an option to buy to his then-club Fiorentina. However, due to financial constraints linked to strict fair play regulations, the Catalan giants couldn't seal the deal, and Fiorentina held out for a more substantial offer.
“They truly wanted me, and at that moment, I was eager to make the move. For me, joining Barcelona would have been a dream,” Amrabat expressed.
While the Barça offer was enticing, Fiorentina sought a higher fee, which complicated matters further, especially after Sergio Busquets picked up an injury, leaving Barcelona short of a key holding midfielder.
“I wouldn’t claim I would have pushed Busquets out of the team, but I could have gotten some playing time. They were looking for a player like me. The team played well, but they sometimes allowed counter-attacks due to positional issues in defence,” Amrabat elaborated.
Shortly after the Barcelona interest cooled, Liverpool entered the fray, with manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly reaching out to discuss a potential transfer.
“He wanted to bring me to Liverpool, and we had a chat about it. At that time, they lacked a specialist in the number six role. Liverpool wanted to sign me, but eventually, that deal fell through. Just two weeks later, I signed with Manchester United,” the midfielder revealed.
Instead of heading to one of the two giants, Amrabat found himself at Manchester United on loan from Fiorentina in the summer of 2023.
The 30-year-old midfielder has since also played for Real Betis and Fenerbahce. By August 2026, he made a permanent move to Ajax, signing a two-year contract.
