Fabrizio Romano confirms Barcelona swoop for highly-rated Liverpool target who starred in World Cup

Fabrizio Romano has clarified the current stance of Sofyan Amrabat as Barcelona are pushing for a deal despite having an opening offer rejected.

Liverpool had been interested in a move for Amrabat, but nothing materialised on their end. Jurgen Klopp will now be weighing up some different options.

Xavi has been keen on bolstering his midfield options at Barcelona as Franck Kessie has struggled to adapt this season and Sergio Busquets could depart at the end of the season.

Barcelona currently sit top of La Liga and are five points ahead of Real Madrid. They are wanting to strengthen while they are on top and Amrabat has been identified as a target.

The midfielder made a name for himself at the World Cup as he was a vital component of how Morocco played. He made 16 tackles at the World Cup, which was only bettered by three players.

According to Romano, Barcelona have had a loan proposal rejected by Fiorentina. The deal involved a loan fee of around €3/4million with the option to buy for €40million at the end of the season.

Amrabat’s deal with Fiorentina runs until the summer of 2024, with the club having the option of a further year. They are keen on keeping him and won’t allow him to leave on the cheap.

The loan proposal did not include the obligation to purchase Amrabat, which would have surely put Fiorentina off.

The 26-year-old did not take part in training this morning, but as of now he is expected to stay unless Barcelona make a fresh proposal for the midfielder.

Liverpool considering other options 

While Barcelona have been knocked back in their pursuit of Amrabat, Liverpool are still weighing up their midfield options.

It is no secret that this is a priority position for Liverpool to strengthen. Jude Bellingham is a priority target, although he won’t be available until the summer.

In the meantime, Liverpool have been linked with a shock move for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher. The midfielder has also been linked with the likes of Everton and Newcastle.

Earlier in January Klopp admitted that all of their problems cannot be solved in the January transfer window.

He told Sky Sports: “In the end, my job is to use the boys we have. I have absolutely no problems, like how the team lines up, but when we start changing, you realise that up front now, we don’t have three, four or five options and if we do have options, they are quite young, which is fine.

“That’s the situation and you cannot solve all problems in a transfer window. In a dreamland, you buy players and bring them in, but I don’t see that coming.

“It’s not that we have so much money, we don’t know what to do with, but we think ‘ah we don’t need anyone’. You cannot solve the problem [in the January transfer window], especially with injuries.

“That is the big shadow over all over us because it cannot be solves in a transfer window. Sometimes we have to, but usually, you get through until the boys come back then you can use them again.”

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