Manchester United have seemingly only added to the speculation linking Sofyan Amrabat with a move to Old Trafford after the club confirmed a number of squad numbers have changed.
Erik ten Hag is keen on adding another midfielder to the ranks, even after the £60million acquisition of Mason Mount, and is thought to have idetified Amrabat as his ideal candidate to take up a space in the middle of the Old Trafford pitch.
Some initially feared that any move for Amrabat was off after the money spent on Mount, as well as the pursuit of £50m-rated Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana and promising Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund. However, Ten Hag is believed to still want to land the Moroccan's signature before the window's close.
The midfielder's contract with Fiorentina comes to an end this time next year, which means this summer presents the Serie A outfit with their last realistic chance to cash in on the 26-year-old. It is believed Amrabat could be up for grabs for as little £30m.
Accoding to talkSPORT, United's hunt for Amrabat has been taken up a level and the Red Devils are thought to already be close to agreeing personal terms. Some of the more observant members of the United faithful feel they have spotted a clue that suggests he really could sign this summer.
United have confirmed new squad numbers for academy players Matej Kovar, Alvaro Fernandez, Kobbie Mainoo and Dan Gore. Kovar will take No.38, Fernandez will don No.42, Mainoo will wear No.37 and Dan Gore has been given No.44.
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There have been no changes to the first-team squad numbers, which in turns means the number four remains up for grabs. This is the same number Amrabat dons for his national team.
It had been widely expected that Varane would take the number four shirt having donned the No. 19 for the entirety of his United stay so far, but there has been no sign that his squad number will change anytime soon, potentially opening the door for Amrabat.
Ten Hag is well-versed in what Amrabat can offer as the pair worked together while the United boss was at the helm FC Utrecht. He has previously waxed lyrical about the Moroccan.
As quoted by Dutch outlet AD, Ten Hag said: "Souf is imperturbable, unyielding. That is an additional quality. He will and must play, even if he has to go over five walls or through five walls. And even if he has to fight for it for weeks or months."
This is the kind of mentality Ten Hag loves to work with and explains why the Dutchman is so keen to reunitee with Amrabat by prying him away from Fiorentina.
