How Man Utd were ‘forced to pay TWICE as much for Sofyan Amrabat loan transfer after trying to play hardball’

MANCHESTER UNITED were forced to pay twice as much for Sofyan Amrabat’s loan transfer from Fiorentina.

The Moroccan midfielder completed a deadline day switch to Old Trafford after weeks of negotiations.

He has signed on an initial loan from Fiorentina with an option to make the deal permanent.

As part of the deal, United will pay an £8.5million loan fee, but the deal would have cost less had the Red Devils not played hardball.

According to The Athletic, negotiations last week saw Fiorentina ask for a £4.25million loan fee.

However, when United only offered just over £2.5million, the Italians informed them the deal was off.

Talks later resumed, but with the Serie A side now demanding an £8.5million loan fee, the report adds.

United were able to reach an agreement close to those terms on Friday, with the deal worth a total of £30million, including a £17million option to buy clause.

Amrabat went on to complete his medical in Pisa before his signing was announced late on deadline day.

It is understood the 27-year-old had only wanted to join Erik ten Hag’s side and rejected a move to three other Premier League clubs.

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Fans have been forced to wait to see their new midfielder in action as he was not registered in time to appear against Arsenal on Sunday.

Instead, Amrabat’s United debut could come after the international break, with the club’s next match at home to Brighton on September 16.

However, it has emerged that a recurring back injury, which forced him to use painkillers to play at the World Cup, was detected in his medical.

It is not clear how this will affect when he will play.

Amrabat has also yet to be given a squad number by United, who have said it will be revealed “once his registration is completed”.

The Morocco international wears number four for his country and was number 34 at Fiorentina.

Phil Jones’ exit has left four vacant, but Donny van de Beek currently holds the number 34 shirt.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk