Liverpool 'to hold Sofyan Amrabat talks after World Cup'

The 26-year-old has been a driving force of the history-making Morocco team, who have become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of football's biggest global tournament.

Amrabat has featured in every minute for the Atlas Lions in Qatar, playing key roles in their victories over Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the final four.

The Fiorentina lynchpin is expected to make his sixth World Cup start when Morocco meet reigning champions France in Wednesday's semi-final, and he is believed to be on the radar of several leading European clubs.

Tottenham Hotspur were briefly linked with a move for Amrabat in the summer, which never materialized, and he has since caught the eye of Liverpool chiefs as the Reds seek to beef up their midfield in 2023.

According to Foot Mercato journalist Аnas Bakhkhar, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has already held one meeting with Nordin Amrabat, who acts as his brother's agent, and the two parties will touch base again after the World Cup.

Speaking to Empire of the Kop, Bakhkhar said: "Liverpool's coach Jurgen Klopp has met the agent of Sofyan Amrabat, we can also mention that his brother, Nordin Amrabat, who has been working on his brother's career for a long time now, was also there and they both met with the coach.

"It was a very good meeting, it was positive and they will be meeting a few days after the end of the World Cup to see if the interest is the same for Jurgen Klopp.

"After his performances in Qatar, the interest shouldn't change and there will be other meetings to see the demands of Fiorentina, also the demands of his agent - to see if that transfer will go ahead or not."

Amrabat represented Utrecht, Feyenoord, Club Brugge and Hellas Verona before signing for Fiorentina in 2020, and the Moroccan has one goal to his name from 78 games for La Viola.

Amrabat's efforts helped Fiorentina qualify for the Europa Conference League with a seventh-placed finish in Serie A last season, and he recently opened up about his future to Marca.

"I'm proud to be linked to top clubs like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. But I'm a Fiorentina player, I respect the club and I've a great relationship with the president," Fabrizio Romano quotes Amrabat as saying.

Nordin Amrabat has also urged Paris Saint-Germain to come calling, but his comments are unlikely to deter Liverpool, who could wave goodbye to Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner on free transfers next summer.

In preparation for the trio's possible exits, Liverpool are rumoured to have agreed a deal in principle to sign Benfica and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who has played a major role in La Albiceleste's run to the World Cup final.

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham supposedly remains a prime target, but Fernandez's proposed switch to Anfield could open the door for Real Madrid to win the race for the 19-year-old Englishman.