14 May 2023 , 16:39
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Manchester United are ready to reignite their pursuit of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
The Red Devils turned down the chance to sign Rabiot, 28, last summer because of the Frenchman's eye-watering wage demands, having agreed a £15million fee with Juventus. United football director John Murtough even flew out to Turin in an attempt to wrap up negotiations, but returned to Manchester empty-handed.
Now, though, Rabiot is set to be available on a free transfer, with his contract at Juventus coming to an end in June and there being no sign of a new deal in the pipeline. The situation has prompted boss Erik ten Hag to rekindle his interest - but he's got competition from a Premier League rival.
According to French publication L'Equipe, United are pushing to sign the Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate on a free and, like with Harry Kane, are intent on sealing the deal as one of their priority transfers. Newcastle are also interested but the Red Devils should have the upper hand as a result of the positive talks between Ten Hag and Rabiot taking place last August.
United ultimately abandoned their pursuit in 2022, with mother-agent Veronique Rabiot allegedly demanding a big-money salary to put her son on par with some of the highest earners at Old Trafford. The Red Devils soon went and snapped up Casemiro from Real Madrid for £70m, a signing which has proved instrumental in what's been a promising first campaign in charge for Ten Hag.
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Rabiot - who followed Liverpool in his youth and idolised Steven Gerrard - is, crucially, open to a move to the Premier League. The 28-year-old's stock has only risen this season by scoring 11 goals for Juventus, who'd like him to remain in Turin but have limited funds at the moment.
Adrien Rabiot is out of contract at Juventus this summer (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)Have your say! Should Manchester United sign Adrien Rabiot? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
Rabiot was also a starter for France during the World Cup in Qatar, a sign of his newfound maturity, having previously been frowned upon for his apparent bad attitude. In March, the ex-PSG starlet - who spent a few months at Manchester City as a youngster - issued an update on his future.
"At the moment, there's no news, but we'll certainly talk soon," Rabiot confirmed. "Because in about two months the season will be over and we'll try to discuss it, but I'm calm. There is the possibility of leaving but also the possibility of signing another contract with Juve for all the reasons I explained earlier."
The France international added: "I feel good in Turin, I do a good job at the club and there's a good relationship with the directors, my team-mates and the coach [Massimiliano Allegri]. He also helped me in two years as well as giving me a lot of confidence. I believe that all of this is important to feel good and therefore make the right choice for my future."