Manchester United face a battle to land Sofyan Amrabat as other top clubs across Europe have expressed an interest in signing the midfielder.

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Atletico Madrid have emerged as a potential destination for Amrabat, with the Fiorentina star reportedly keen on working with the La Liga club’s manager Diego Simeone. Amrabat’s desire could compel United into exploring alternative options in the final period of the summer transfer window.

With just over three weeks left until the transfer deadline, the race for Amrabat’s signature is heating up. It was previously rumoured that United had almost secured a deal to sign the Morocco international.

However, a period of inactivity has given other clubs the advantage to enter the race. Juventus are said to be offering Amrabat a chance to remain in Serie A, while Atletico represent an attractive option for the player.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Amrabat has communicated his approval to Atletico, expresing his desire to join the club. The question now is whether Atletico are willing to meet Fiorentina’s asking price for the 26-year-old.

While some sources suggest that an offer of £26 million would be sufficient, others claim that Fiorentina are holding out for £34 million. Barcelona have also shown interest in Amrabat in the past.

Liverpool made an approach for him earlier in the summer, but the player’s preference at the time was a move to Old Trafford. It remains to be seen whether United will act on their interest by making a bid before September 1.

United boss Erik ten Hag remains eager to further strengthen his squad, which has been boosted by the arrivals of striker Rasmus Hojlund, goalkeeper Andre Onana and midfielder Mason Mount. The club are also said to be interested in Jean-Clair Todibo to bolster their defence if Harry Maguire leaves.

Maguire exit confirmed

West Ham United have agreed a £30 million deal to sign the England international. Maguire was stripped of the captaincy ahead of the new season, with Bruno Fernandes taking on the armband

Maguire was booed by his own fans at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at the weekend after his latest clanger.

The Hammers and the Red Devil reached an agreement over a reported £30million fee, with personal terms still to be agreed. It means man Utd will take huge loss on the player who cost them £80million from Leicester back in August 2019, a world record for a defender.

What happens next

United are now pursuing a host of replacements to fill the position in defence. As well as Todibo, Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard, and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi are all on United’s radar.

And the club are also reportedly considering a one-year deal for Jonny Evans. After initially being permitted to return and train at Carrington this summer after his contract expired at Leicester, Evans was handed a temporary deal to play in pre-season after impressing Ten Hag.

But it’s Todibo, 23, who is still considered the favourite to move to Manchester after United made contact with Nice to discuss his availability. The French club are open to selling the star, with Nice sporting director Florent Ghisolfi admitting the club were prepared for his exit this summer, saying: “If all the parties can find themselves in a transfer, it can be done.”

Todibo began his career with Toulouse before joining Barcelona, but failed to hold down a place with the Spanish giants and spent time on loan at Schalke, Benfica and then Nice, who then signed him permanently in June 2021.

Manchester United are fast approaching the start of their Premier League campaign against crisis-hit Wolves on Monday night.

West Ham United are finally in full swing with regards to incoming transfers.

Edson Alvarez has already joined the Hammers and James Ward-Prowse could potentially arrive today.

West Ham are also closing in on the signing of Harry Maguire from Manchester United.

However, that deal hasn’t gone through yet, despite Man United accepting the Hammers’ proposal earlier this week.

Fabrizio Romano has now taken to Twitter with an update on the Maguire to West Ham hold-up.

He says the Red Devils want to pick a favourite candidate to replace Maguire and start talks before letting him go.

Man United accepted £30m proposal from West Ham for Harry Maguire three days ago.

Understand deal’s not done yet because Man United want to start talks and pick favorite candidate as replacement before letting Harry go. pic.twitter.com/2y4tBQ8Sny

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 11, 2023

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Our view

This news probably won’t go down tremendously well with West Ham, given their Premier League season is starting tomorrow.

Had Man United allowed him to get the ball rolling as soon as they accepted the bid, done the medical, unveiling and son on, there’s a chance he might’ve played against Bournemouth.

Obviously that won’t be the case, and with Chelsea coming up next weekend, West Ham will hope there are no more delays to the Maguire deal.

The Hammers will be eager to kick on after winning the Europa Conference League last season, and finally reinforcements are making their way to the London Stadium.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Maguire will be a solid replacement. He is a top player who sadly hasn’t had the best of times in recent years, and needs a change of scenery. West Ham are a good club for him to reignite his career.

Hopefully Maguire does make the move soon and goes back to his “unbelievable” best in claret and blue.