Barcelona midfield target ‘devastated’ and ‘hurt’ after failed winter move

Ahead of deadline day, it seems Barcelona had made Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat their prime transfer target. A defensive midfielder by trade, the Moroccan had Xavi’s approval, and would have served as the mid-to-long-term successor for Sergio Busquets.

Barcelona’s opening and only bid to loan him with a purchase option was turned down by Fiorentina, though. The Catalans had offered them €40 million in total fees, including €3 million as a loan transaction.

Amrabat himself wanted to move to Barcelona ‘badly’, and had even skipped training to force the transfer. In fact, he was reportedly in conversation with the club president personally in an attempt to convince him last-minute.

Eventually, Barcelona reportedly called the transfer off after toiling all day. They have shifted their attention to LA Galaxy’s Julian Araujo, instead, with the move nearly complete, as per reports.

Meanwhile, according to Toni Juanmarti, Amrabat has been left ‘devastated’ and ‘hurt’ after Barcelona’s pursuit of him was rejected by Fiorentina.

The midfielder was promised that he would be allowed to leave the club on a loan-plus-option-to-buy transfer if a suitable offer arrived. However, the club president did not keep his promise, leaving Amrabat stuck in Italy on deadline day.

Barcelona also managed to reach Fiorentina’s total asking price of €40 million, but the club had changed their stance and wanted guaranteed money. They were looking for a permanent transfer, or at least a loan deal that would include the obligation to buy.

The journalist, meanwhile, has claimed that while the option to sign Amrabat has sunk in the winter, Barcelona will continue to keep tabs on him for the summer. Eventually, any move for him, and others, will be dictated by Financial Fair Play and La Liga’s unnecessarily rigid policies.