sport news Sofyan Amrabat faces Declan Rice battle as Fiorentina eye Conference League ... trends now
Fiorentina are braced for a summer of interest in their most important player Sofyan Amrabat, after the midfielder starred at the World Cup in Qatar.
The Europa Conference League final against West Ham will be an opportunity to see Amrabat duel with Declan Rice. The match should see a battle of the box-to-box midfielders, who on average cover 12 kilometres per game to support their sides.
Compared to Rice, Amrabat has less leadership and attachment to his club but has established himself as an integral part of Fiorentina's side. While he rarely scores, Amrabat contributes greatly on the pitch.
West Ham are expected to let their captain leave and have demanded £100million for Rice, while Fiorentina value Amrabat between €30m (£26m) to €40m (£35m). The difference in price between the two midfielders is evident but it does not reflect the difference in ability between the Moroccan and the England international.
Rice and Amrabat were the best defensive midfielders of the World Cup in Qatar, together with Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister. In Prague they will once again be key players in a match at the highest level.
Fiorentina are braced for interest in Sofyan Amrabat after he starred at the World Cup in Qatar
Amrabat's battle with Declan Rice will be crucial in the Conference League final with West Ham
The final is expected to be Amrabat's final match for the club before a summer transfer
Fiorentina's 4-2-3-1 formation suits Amrabat's abilities, with the midfielder placed in front of the defence to help protect the penalty area. Very often Amrabat will become an extra defender, as he is capable of reading every defensive situation in harmony with Fiorentina's four-man back line.
Amrabat is one of Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano's most loyal players, a box-to-box midfielder who would have no trouble finding a place in the squad at the top Premier League clubs.
West Ham are a very competitive team and will pose a stern test to Fiorentina in the final, but David Moyes' side will have to pay close attention to Amrabat's qualities if they are to win the Conference League.
The midfielder has been fatigued by playing 55 matches during a gruelling season, but his physicality will still make him crucial to Fiorentina in Prague.
The final against West Ham will most likely be his last match with Fiorentina, with Amrabat expected to be the next major sale by Rocco Commisso's club.
AMRABAT'S FUTURE
As reported by the Spanish newspaper Sport, in the last few days there Barcelona have stalled in their negotiations to sign Amrabat. The offer proposed by the Catalan club has not been appreciated by Fiorentina, with a deadlock
