Galatasaray vice-president Erden Timur says the club agreed a deal to sign Sofyan Armrabat but swayed the Moroccan.
The midfielder joined United on an initial season-long loan deal last week, and the club have the option to make the deal permanent in 2024.
Amrabat had been heavily linked with a move to United throughout the but it wasn’t until 48 hours before the window closed that the Red Devils finally made their move.
The midfielder thrust himself onto the world stage with his sensational performances at the last December.
United’s delay in moving for Amrabat was down to the club’s failure to raise funds through player sales.
That gave other clubs an opportunity to sign Amrabat and though the Moroccan was keen on a move to Old Trafford, his patience was running thin by the end of August.
Galatasary’s vice-president says the club had agreed personal terms with the midfielder and a deal was on the brink of being completed with Fiorentina.
However, the chance to reunite with Ten Hag – who Amrabat worked with at Utrecht – was too difficult for the midfielder to turn down.
‘We largely agreed with Sofyan Amrabat,’ said Timur
‘With Fiorentina, we were at a level where we could reach a point. Manchester United came on Wednesday evening and as the player has said before, his former manager was also ther.
‘He rejected the big teams and waited for us, but it didn’t happen.’
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