Manchester United reopen talks with Adrien Rabiot

In the latest transfer news, Manchester United has reportedly reopened discussions with Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot regarding a potential free transfer move to Old Trafford this summer. The talks come as United continues to explore various options to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.

The Athletic recently reported that Mason Mount, a Chelsea midfielder, is leaning towards a move to Manchester United, and talks between the player and the club are expected to take place soon. With Mount’s contract set to expire at the end of the following season, Ajax manager Erik ten Hag’s side is also keen on taking advantage of the situation.

However, reports from TalkSPORT suggest that Manchester United is prepared to offer £50 million for Mount, while Chelsea is holding out for a fee closer to £80 million. As a result, United, who is prioritizing signing a striker in the upcoming transfer window, could potentially turn to Rabiot as a more affordable alternative to Mount.

According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Erik ten Hag has initiated the process to secure Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer this summer.

Romano explained during an interview with Caught Offside that Manchester United has expressed renewed interest in the French midfielder. He noted that while there have been no official bids, Juventus has also presented Rabiot with a contract proposal, and the player is expected to make a decision on his future soon.

Romano further elaborated in a tweet, stating that Manchester United remains interested in Rabiot after failed negotiations last summer.

Ten Hag reportedly holds an appreciation for Rabiot’s abilities. However, there is no significant progress in the talks at present due to the involvement of several other clubs in the race for the player’s signature, including Bayern Munich.

The timing of the transfer depends on club sales and other factors. Although Juventus has offered Rabiot a new deal, it is still deemed unlikely that he will sign it.

Last summer, Manchester United pursued Rabiot as an alternative to Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong. Despite reaching an agreement with Juventus for a transfer fee of €20 million (£17 million), the negotiations collapsed due to disagreements over personal terms.

At the time, it was rumored that Rabiot was demanding wages of around £175,000 per week, plus bonuses, to complete the move to United. However, subsequent reports suggest that these figures may have been exaggerated.

As the transfer window approaches, Manchester United’s pursuit of Adrien Rabiot has resurfaced, indicating their intention to strengthen the midfield options for the upcoming season.

The outcome of the talks remains to be seen, as United faces competition from other interested clubs for Rabiot’s signature, adding an element of uncertainty to the situation.