Highlights
- Liverpool’s need for midfield reinforcements is no secret, but they have ruled out signing Sofyan Amrabat despite his impressive stats and World Cup performance.
- The club’s current target is Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, with hopes of Bayern softening their stance on the transfer.
- Amrabat’s reported price tag of €30m this summer and his strong performance in comparison to Jordan Henderson make the decision surprising.
Liverpool’s need for midfield reinforcements in no secret, even after they overcame the odds to defeat Newcastle United at St James’ Park and extend their unbeaten run to start the season to three Premier League games.
The Reds were, of course, on their way to a fairly successful transfer window, with the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia threw a spanner in the works.
Since then, they have welcomed Wataru Endo, but it could be argued that a more high-profile name is still needed.
With that said, though, the club have reportedly ruled out signing one particular midfielder.
What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news?
As the summer transfer window edges closer and closer to slamming shut, Liverpool are scrambling for the extra reinforcements needed to ensure that Jurgen Klopp has a side capable of returning to the Premier League’s top four, after missing out last season.
The name at the forefront of their current list of targets seems to be Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, who the Bavarians could reportedly soften their stance on in the coming days.
As Gravenberch rises to the top of Liverpool’s list, however, it is Sofyan Amrabat who has reportedly been ruled out altogether.
According to Manchester Evening News, who were reporting on Manchester United and Liverpool’s interest in Amrabat, the Reds have clarified that they will not be making a move for the Fiorentina man this summer.
This news comes at a time when Amrabat has been frozen out at the Serie A club, with La Viola dropping the Morroco international from both first-team games, and training until his future is resolved, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Should Liverpool sign Sofyan Amrabat?
Liverpool’s stance on Amrabat is a surprising one, given their need for midfielders, and Fiorentina’s reported price-tag of just €30m (£25.6m) this summer.
Statistically speaking, too, the Moroccan would be an upgrade on the options that Klopp waved goodbye to this summer.
According to FBref, Amrabat outperformed Henderson in some key areas throughout the previous campaign.
|
Player |
Progressive Carries Per 90 |
Blocks |
Pass Completion Rate |
Tackles Won |
|
Sofyan Amrabat |
1.62 |
23 |
88.8% |
24 |
|
Jordan Henderson |
1.61 |
21 |
83% |
23 |
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old earned plenty of praise during the 2022 World Cup, as he helped Morroco to reach the semi-final stage, in the surprise of the tournament.
Alan Shearer praised the midfielder, saying on BBC’s Match of The Day, via the Liverpool Echo: “He gets it and then he can feed the ball in, and you can see him go back there. He’ll be reluctant to get forward as he wants to protect, he’ll want to do that.
“He really enjoys that and he’s really good at that – ‘get off the ball, I’m having it’ – and he’s setting his team forward. He’s been key. He does that, he protects, he can get out there and help his full-backs, and that’s what he’s in that role to do – to stop, and be a spoiler – he’s excellent at it. Then he drives forward and they’re on their way. He’s been magnificent, he really has.”
Nonetheless, despite the praise and the stats, Liverpool reportedly remain unlikely to push ahead for Amrabat’s signature this summer.