Bayern Munich identify alternative for Declan Rice
Bayern Munich confirmed their first summer signing on Friday. Konrad Laimer completed a move to Bayern on a free transfer as his deal at RB Leipzig expires at the end of this month. Laimer is unlikely to be the only midfield signing for Die Roten this summer.
The record Bundesliga champions are looking to add a defensive midfielder to the squad. West Ham United’s Declan Rice is the top target for Thomas Tuchel and Die Roten for the defensive midfield role. The English midfielder held talks with Bayern, but a move to Munich is not certain.
Arsenal remains favourites to sign Rice from West Ham. Die Roten seems to have an alternative to Rice lined up in case the English midfielder joins another club. According to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Bayern has Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat on the shortlist as an alternative for Rice.
Amrabat is expected to leave Fiorentina in the summer transfer window. The Moroccan midfielder has been heavily linked with Barcelona since the winter window, while Manchester United’s head coach Erik Ten Hag also admires him. The Italian club will look to sell this summer since the midfielder has two years left on the current deal.
The 26-year-old midfielder enjoyed a very productive season with Fiorentina. He was the standout player on the pitch during the Europa Conference League final against West Ham United earlier this week. His performances for Morocco during World Cup 2022 attracted attention from Barcelona and Manchester United during the winter window.
Amrabat predominantly plays in the defensive midfield role. Along with excelling defensively in this position, Amrabat shows a lot of composure with the ball. His long and short passing range is admirable, which makes him the ideal fit for a team that consistently dominates possession. The Moroccan midfielder can also excel in the deep block as he did for the National team during World Cup 2022.
Bayern will be able to afford Amrabat this summer. He is likely to cost less than half of what West Ham will get for Rice. The Bavarian club needs to get a definite answer from Rice quickly so that they can move on to other targets and complete deals before the start of pre-season training.
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Meanwhile, Marcel Sabitzer is back at Sabner Strasse after the end of his loan spell at Manchester United. The Austrian midfielder has been on the sidelines in the past few weeks due to an injury. Sabitzer is expected to leave Die Roten this summer. It remains to be seen if Manchester United wants to sign him permanently.