Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is pushing to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot this summer, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (page 3).
The Frenchman was the subject of interest from United last summer. A deal worth £20 million was finalised with the Bianconeri, but the Red Devils refused to meet the midfielder’s wage demands.
United continue to be linked with the 28-year-old, and Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Rabiot would like to play in the Premier League sooner rather than later.
The Red Devils are in the race to land Rabiot ‘under the impetus’ of Ten Hag, who would like to revive the move that broke down at the final hurdle last year.
As things stand, Rabiot’s contract expires on June 30. Juventus have proposed to extend his stay on his current €7m (£6m) salary. A definitive answer is expected soon.
Will Man Utd make a contract offer to Rabiot?
Rabiot had a personal phone call with Ten Hag last summer, and he looked on course to join the club before there was a disagreement over his weekly wages.
United refused to meet his €10m (£8.6m) annual wage demands, and it remains to be seen whether they would be willing to match that figure this time around.
Rabiot had a poor 2021/22 season at Juventus with just two goals from 45 outings, and some United fans were not pleased with the club’s pursuit of the midfielder..
The Frenchman managed to transform his fortunes last term with 11 goals and six assists from 48 games. In our view, he would be an upgrade on outgoing Fred.
Aside from his goal contributions, Rabiot won an impressive two tackles and 5.8 duels per game last season. He is currently in the best phase of his career.
If Ten Hag holds a serious interest in Rabiot, United need to move quickly as he is currently assessing Juventus’ proposal. He is expected to make a decision by June 30.
United don’t have to pay a transfer fee for the World Cup finalist this summer, though he could demand a sizeable signing-on bonus on top of his weekly wages.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com