Transfer Centre

Man United transfer news: Juventus midfielder 'waiting' for Erik ten Hag approach

By Devesh Jaganath | 20 June 2024

Juventus midfielder 'waiting' for Man United approach

Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot is reportedly 'waiting' for Manchester United to make an approach for him, with his contract set to expire at the end of this month.

Manchester United are expected to be busy this summer, and among their main priorities is bringing in a new central midfielder to partner Kobbie Mainoo in the Red Devils' engine room.

With Erik ten Hag looking likely to remain in charge for the foreseeable future, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co are looking to push ahead with their summer overhaul, with several players being linked with moves to and from Old Trafford in the coming weeks.

Among the confirmed departures from Manchester this summer are Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial, whose contracts are set to run out at the end of this month.

In addition, the futures of Casemiro, who had a relatively poor season for United, along with Sofyan Amrabat and Donny van de Beek, are still up in the air.

Adrien Rabiot of Juventus FC looks on during the Coppa Italia 2023/2024 on June 18, 2024 © Imago

Rabiot expecting Man United offer this summer

One player who was linked with a move to Old Trafford in Ten Hag's first season in charge was Adrien Rabiot, and according to Tuttosport, the Juventus midfielder is now 'waiting for Manchester United' to make an approach for him again this summer.

Rabiot was close to making a move to Old Trafford in 2022 in a deal worth a reported fee of £15m, but the transfer is believed to have broken down at the final hurdle due to a disagreement over personal terms.

The Italian outlet adds that the Frenchman's contract with the Old Lady is set to expire at the end of the month, and he has yet to confirm whether he intends to remain in Turin next season.

It is understood that the player and his entourage have explained that he will consider his options, but is fully focused on the European Championship with the France national team.

The 29-year-old was a key figure in Les Bleus' victory over Austria in their opening match of Euro 2024, and was also part of the Didier Deschamps' team that finished as runners-up to Lionel Messi's Argentina in Qatar.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that United's Premier League rivals Arsenal and Newcastle United are also keeping tabs on the Juve midfielder.

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe pictured on May 25, 2024 [IMAGO] © Reuters

Will Man United be tempted by Rabiot free transfer?

While a free transfer for a player with the experience of Rabiot may be tempting for the Red Devils, there has been no evidence to suggest the club's hierarchy has considered reigniting their interest in him this summer.

Additionally, signing a player who turns 30 next April will go against the strict rules Sir Ratcliffe has set out relating to United's future acquisitions.

Recently, there have been widespread reports suggesting that the Red Devils are pursuing 19-year-old Benfica star Joao Neves and 22-year-old Everton holding midfielder Amadou Onana.

Rabiot won five Ligue 1 titles and nine domestic cups during his time at Paris Saint-Germain before joining the Serie A giants on a free transfer in 2019.

Since arriving in Turin, the French international has featured 212 times for Juve and has scored 22 goals, while providing 15 assists in that time.