French midfielder Adrien Rabiot reportedly missed out on a move to the Premier League over the summer due to his astronomical wage demands.
The 29-year-old, who left Juventus on a free transfer at the end of June after five years in Turin, was still without a club in mid-September.
Manchester United had been linked with the player numerous times in recent years, but no move ever materialised, with some outlets putting blame on Rabiot's mother and agent for making negotiations difficult.
It was also reported that Liverpool had been showing an interest in the player, but likewise, no move was forthcoming.
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Wage demands saw Man United, Liverpool turn away from Rabiot
Fabrizio Romano claims that it was Rabiot's wage demands that put the two Premier League giants off making a move for him over the summer, despite that being his preference.
Writing for Caught Offside, Romano said: "There were big, very big proposals from Turkey and Saudi but he only wanted to play in one of the European top leagues."
While clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia may have been more willing to pay the inflated wages for a player almost in his 30s, Liverpool and Manchester United, a club desperately seeking to lower their current wage bill, were not.
"The Premier League was his dream, but his salary requests were considered too expensive." Romano added.
Rabiot was still without a club heading into the September international break, but was still called up by French boss Didier Deschamps, who publicly pleaded with the player to find a club as soon as possible.
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Rabiot settling back in at home after failed Premier League talks
Days after leaving the French camp, where Rabiot started both of France's UEFA Nations League fixtures earlier this month, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain player returned to Ligue 1 to sign for Marseille.
Roberto De Zerbi has been well-backed by the Marseille hierarchy in the transfer market, but it is believed they managed to persuade Rabiot to lower his wage demands.
Romano also stated: "OM have been excellent at working behind the scenes and getting [the signing] done for a reduced salary, convincing Rabiot of their project."
Five years after leaving the French top-flight, Rabiot is in line to make his return at the weekend, when his Marseille side travel to Lyon.
Andrew Delaney
