Manchester United’s hopes of landing Juventus ace Adrien Rabiot are dimming after the Frenchman agreed to extend his deal in Turin.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the record-time Serie A champions have grown increasingly confident of tying the 28-year-old down to a new deal.
Rabiot has waltzed into the final week of his contract at the Allianz Stadium, leading many to believe his topsy-turvy spell at Juventus could be coming to a halt.
Barcelona and Man United have emerged as potential landing spots for the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star amid a contract extension standoff with the Bianconeri.
The Red Devils were interested in signing Rabiot last summer, but couldn’t come to an agreement with either the player or the selling club on acceptable terms.
However, the Blaugrana left the pursuit after bringing in Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City earlier this week, clearing a path for the Red Devils to lure Rabiot to Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag is in the market for a new midfielder, but he may have to shift his attention elsewhere after Juventus made progress in talks with their unsettled playmaker.
Rabiot’s initial intention was to leave Italy for a new challenge abroad, as he has dragged on negotiations until late June.
With Juventus missing next season’s Champions League, he may have hoped for a move to either Barca or Man United, none of which will materialise by the looks of things.
Yesterday’s report suggested the Red Devils are ‘on the horizon,’ naming them as front-runners to sign the Frenchman, but there seems to have been an overnight development.
Aware a lack of Champions League football would significantly derail their chances of replacing a player of Rabiot’s quality, Juventus have probably made a crucial breakthrough, handing United’s bid to land the ex-PSG man a definitive blow.
In the meantime, the Italians have received a green light from wantaway Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey to pursue his signature, as per Sky Italia.
The Ghanaian’s potential switch to Turin would’ve normally been a transfer boost for Man United’s effort to sign Rabiot, but it probably won’t be the case here.
