Man Utd 'monitoring' former top transfer target who will be a free agent next summer

Manchester United were close to signing Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot last year, only for the transfer to collapse due to the Frenchman’s wage demands

Posted Friday, September 29, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Man Utd 'monitoring' former top transfer target who will be a free agent next summer
Adrien Rabiot, pictured in action for Juventus, remains on Manchester United's radar

Manchester United could renew their interest in soon-to-be free agent Adrien Rabiot.

The Red Devils were close to signing the Juventus midfielder in August last year, only for the transfer to collapse, reportedly due to the Frenchman's wage demands. However, with his contract on the verge of expiring, finances will be less of an issue next summer.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, United are 'monitoring the situation' regarding Rabiot, even if they are not now as desperate for midfielders. Since that initial interest, United have signed the likes of Casemiro, Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat.

Any potential deal for Rabiot could hinge on how Amrabat fares during his season-long loan spell from Fiorentina, with United having an option to make it permanent next summer. If Rabiot doesn't sign a new deal with Juve, he could be up for grabs as part of a cut-price deal in January.

Rabiot is actually no stranger to Manchester, having had a six-month stint in the Man City academy in 2008. At the age of just 13, Rabiot was spotted by City's scouts, who offered him a deal while playing in the French national academy at Clairefontaine – the talent factory that produced the likes of Thierry Henry, Kylian Mbappe and Nicolas Anelka.

Man Utd 'monitoring' former top transfer target who will be a free agent next summer
Veronique Rabiot with her France and Juventus star son Adrien

A permanent deal with City was close, only for his agent mum to put a stop to it. He said back in 2020: "During the last entry course at Clairefontaine, Manchester City recruiters were present. They told my mum they were interested in my profile. We made the decision to go to England.

"Everything was going well, but after six months, the club did not respect certain agreements, so my mother said 'stop' and we went home."

City said Rabiot's departure was due to his mother, Veronique, wanting assurances that the club couldn't provide due to FIFA regulations about foreign youngsters at the time.