Manchester United have now reportedly joined the race to sign a highly sought-after African star who is also being pursued by FC Barcelona.
Both Barca and United wrapped up their seasons on the weekend, with neither of them avoiding defeat in their final game of the 2022/23 campaign.
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The Spanish giants were beaten 2-1 by Celta Vigo in LaLiga, while the English outfit lost by the same scoreline in their FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday.
With many of their players now free to go on vacation, those teams' recruitment departments are set to do some heavy lifting over the next few months to try to bring in the desired reinforcements.
It seems Barca and United have now earmarked the same player for their midfield, with the two teams finding themselves in a battle to sign one of the 2022 FIFA World Cup's standout performers.
According to Spanish publication SPORT, Erik ten Hag's side are after Morocco star Sofyan Ambrabat, who has also been courted by Barcelona since the global showpiece in Qatar.
United are said to be looking to bring in a highly capable partner for Casemiro in midfield, with both Fred and Scott McTominay considered upgradeable.
Barca, meanwhile, held talks with the 26-year-old Fiorentina star in the January transfer window, but a move failed to materialise due to the LaLiga club's stringent finances.
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Amrabat's brother Nordin revealed in March that United had also made a move for the Serie A-based playmaker, but could not reach an agreement back then as they wanted to sign the defensive midfielder on loan with an option to buy, while La Viola were not satisfied with such an arrangement.
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