Fiorentina and Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat would reportedly prefer to move to Liverpool over Tottenham Hotspur should he leave La Viola next year.
The 26-year-old has emerged onto the radar of several top teams after playing a starring role for Morocco during their run to the World Cup semi-finals.
Amrabat played every minute for the Atlas Lions as they finished in fourth place, and he made a competition-high 51 ball recoveries in Qatar during a breakthrough tournament.
Tottenham were credited with an interest in the Fiorentina man during the summer window after he helped La Viola qualify for the Europa Conference League with a seventh-placed finish in Serie A.
A move to North London did not materialise for the Moroccan, but Antonio Conte's side are now expected to reignite their interest following his strong World Cup campaign.
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However, Spurs could face stiff competition from Liverpool in the race to sign Amrabat, although the Lilywhites are said to be willing to outbid the Reds in order to complete a deal.
Tottenham's financial firepower may prove inconsequential, though, as Foot Mercato - via Inside Futbol - claims that Amrabat's current preference is a move to Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp is already said to have held one round of talks with the midfielder's entourage, and fresh negotiations are expected to be held following the World Cup.
Amrabat could leave Fiorentina on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, although the Italian giants do possess the option to extend his stay for another 12 months.
La Viola are supposedly hoping to tie Amrabat down to a new deal and are reluctant to sanction a sale in January, but a fee of €40m (£34.8m) could be enough for his signature.
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Amrabat was recently questioned on Atletico and Barcelona's interest by reporters in Qatar, and he admitted that he was an admirer of Diego Simeone's style of play.
"I'm proud to be linked to top clubs like Barcelona and Atletico. But I'm a Fiorentina player, I respect the club and I have a great relationship with the president," Amrabat said. "We have a good coach at Fiorentina too but...yes, I like Cholo's style."
Amrabat pulled on the shirts of Utrecht, Feyenoord, Club Brugge and Hellas Verona before signing for Fiorentina in 2020, and he has scored one goal in 78 games for the Italian club.
Amrabat has started 10 games this season in Serie A and a further five in the Europa Conference League, and he has already amassed nine bookings in 2022-23.
The 26-year-old's compatriot Azzedine Ounahi is also understood to have garnered plenty of interest after a standout World Cup campaign of his own, and Leicester City are supposedly readying a hefty offer for the Angers starlet.
Ben Knapton
