Man Utd set to reignite big midfield transfer as Nottingham Forest chase £33m Chelsea flop

It’s Transfer Deadline Day Eve, and it’s traditional upon this holy day of family, fun and football communion that we celebrate the unexpected resurrection of transfer deals thought long dead. And today we get a special treat – Sofyan Amrabat might be going to Manchester United after all.

There have been endless rumours that Amrabat (who you may remember as one the particular heroes of Morocco’s run to the World Cup semi-final) was on his way to United over the summer but depending on who you believe, either a formal offer never materialised or the negotiations stalled out.

The newly-rejigged and rejuvenated deal would be an initial loan with an option or obligation to buy, according to Sky Sports News, who also report that the midfielder “wants to move to Old Trafford” – no word on other suitors, so that seems reasonable enough. Juventus were supposedly keen earlier in the window but that one seemed to go cold as well.

The 3AM Verdict: Amrabat is the kind of gritty, all-action player who leaves everything out on the field and often plays well above his relatively indifferent underlying numbers – and United direly need someone willing to play the water-carrier role in their midfield lest they condemn poor Mason Mount to an entire season of number eight purgatory. All that being said, we’d probably go for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg given free choice, mind you.

Forest back in for Michy

While we’re on the subject of gloriously resurrected deals, how about one that fell through a full year ago? Nottingham Forest nearly signed £33m former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi - you know, that bloke in the GIF booting the ball off the post and into his own face - at the end of last summer’s transfer window but couldn’t get it over the line – and now they’re making another eleventh-hour attempt to bring the Belgian back to the Premier League. Fenerbahçe have no intention of letting him go cheap, however.

Also on the Forest front, Fabrizio Romano reckons that long-term target Nico Domínguez is a done deal, while Remo Freuler will leave for Bologna as part of a swap. The Swiss international midfielder hasn’t featured for Forest so far this season.

The 3AM Verdict: Batshuayi is a talented but ultimately frustrating footballer, and one wonders how much he improves a Forest front line that has Taiwo Awoniyi in such fine fettle. But Domínguez makes more sense, and should add a little steel to the midfield, while Freuler is experienced but out of favour with Steve Cooper.

Liverpool set to bid another midfielder farewell?

Finally for today, word from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, who reckon that Liverpool could continue their midfield rebuild by bidding a fond farewell to the perennially crocked Thiago Alcântara.

The 32-year-old, who has rarely stayed fit for more than a few weeks on end these past few years, could be on his way to Celta Vigo, apparently. Their source? The dreams of Mazinho, Thiago’s father, who apparently wants his son to play for the Galician outfit where he himself made over 100 appearances. It isn’t entirely clear whether we’re dealing with something that could actually happen, or something that exists solely inside the fevered dreams of a father.

The 3AM Verdict: This probably isn’t a proper “rumour” and doesn’t actually seem to have any basis in reality, especially given that Thiago is, as usual, in no fit state to pass a medical. Still, it’s nice to know that dad still has dreams for him, and it’s fair to say that Liverpool probably wouldn’t wish to stand in their way…