Man Utd: ‘secret clause’ in Amrabat contract revealed, with Ten Hag holding the power
Man Utd midfielder Sofyan Amrabat (image via official Man Utd website - www.manutd.com)
A ‘secret clause’ Fiorentina inserted into the loan contract of Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has come to light, though whether it’ll be triggered will come down to Erik ten Hag, per a report.
The Red Devils added Amrabat to their engine room via a loan agreement on deadline day. The Morroco international, 27, cost €10m (approx. £8.6m) to sign on loan, with Man Utd also inserting an option to buy.
The option is understood to be set at €25m (approx. £21.4m), meaning the total cost of signing Amrabat outright could reach £30m.
Known for his defensive capabilities, Amrabat will provide Ten Hag with a fiercer presence in the engine room as well as lightening the load on the overworked Casemiro.
Common sense would dictate United will only trigger the option if Amrabat impresses over the next eight months.
However, in the event United opt against taking up the option, a secret clause will come into effect.
That’s according to Italian outlet Il Tirreno who state Fiorentina accepted a ‘deferred payment’ in order to insert the clause.
READ MORE: Manchester United summer transfer window 2023 – ranking all the incomings and outgoings
While not made clear, it stands to reason they’re referring to either the loan part of the deal or the fact the option to buy includes €5m in add-ons.
In any case, the clause relates to Amrabat’s contract back at Fiorentina if Man Utd don’t sign the midfielder outright.
Fiorentina protected if Man Utd deal falls through
If overlooked, Fiorentina will then be able to add an extra year onto Amrabat’s existing contract in Florence.
The aim there would be to protect their investment and ensure Amrabat has two years left on his contract – not one – come the summer of 2024.
His current deal in Italy expires in 2025, meaning Amrabat would be entering the final year of his contract if returning to Fiorentina at season’s end.
Of course, the ‘secret clause’ as labelled by the Manchester Evening News will become irrelevant if Man Utd activate their option to buy.
As such, the power over Amrabat’s future remains firmly in Man Utd and Ten Hag’s hands.
