Diego Simeone spoke to Sofyan Amrabat several times during the final week of August, but Atletico Madrid were unwilling to include an obligation to buy into the deal, so the Morocco international joined Fenerbahce after talking to José Mourinho.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano explains why ex-Fiorentina midfielder Amrabat joined Fenerbahce this past August despite interest from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
Why Amrabat joined Fenerbahce from Fiorentina after Simeone and Mourinho’s calls
Romano said on X, formerly Twitter, that Simeone had called the ex-Fiorentina midfielder several times during the last week of negotiations, but Atletico Madrid were unwilling to close the deal on loan with an obligation to buy.
On the other hand, Fenerbahce added an obligation to buy, so Fiorentina accepted their offer, and Amrabat flew to Turkey after talking to Mourinho.
Fenerbahce said that Amrabat joined the team on loan with an option to buy, but Fiorentina have clarified that the Turkish club have a compulsory buy option at the end of the season.