Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 4:26 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 16:30

Fiorentina denounces Barcelona’s actions regarding the failed transfer of Sofyan Amrabat. The Catalans wanted to take over the Moroccan balafpakker on a rental basis, but saw la Viola keep the leg stiff. Fiorentina is, among other things, furious about the way Xavi has interfered in the negotiations. Il Corriere dello Sport writes that the Spanish coach contacted Amrabat several times by telephone on Tuesday.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport Tensions between Fiorentina and Barcelona have run high in the past 24 hours. The reason is the interest of the Catalan superpower in Amrabat and the role that Xavi played in it. The Italian sports newspaper writes that Xavi ‘repeatedly called’ Amrabat on the final day of the transfer window in an attempt to force his departure from the Stadio Franchi. The Fiorentina club management accuses Barcelona of a lack of professionalism, as contact has been sought with the player without the club’s green light.

Barcelona reportedly had 4 million euros plus a mandatory purchase option of 36 million euros for the services of the Moroccan international. That proposal was deemed “impossible to accept” by Fiorentina. Amrabat expressed his dissatisfaction with the course of events by not appearing at the training and issued a statement on Instagram: Go for it now, the future is promised to no one. Transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano writes that Amrabat has now apologized and has been included in the match selection for Wednesday evening’s cup match with Torino.

Amrabat was one of the revelations of the world championship in Qatar, where he guided the Moroccan team to a surprising place in the semi-finals. Found there the Lions of the Atlas their Waterloo against France (2-0). After the tournament, the midfielder was included in the World Cup squad, which also included his teammates Noussair Mazraoui and Romain Saïss. Amrabat, who is still stuck in Florence until next summer, has so far played 83 official games in the shirt of la Violain which he managed to score once.