Manchester United are reportedly edging closer to the capture of free agent Adrien Rabiot two years after trying and failing to poach him from Juventus.
The France international was a prime target of Erik ten Hag during his first transfer window as Red Devils manager, and a deal appeared to be on the verge of completion at one stage.
However, talks ultimately collapsed due to Rabiot having a change of heart and deciding to stay at Juventus, although there were claims that his mother and agent Veronique Rabiot vetoed a move over wage demands.
Rabiot's representative denied such claims, though, insisting that their relationship with the Red Devils was still "excellent" and that there were never any advanced negotiations over a transfer.
Two years later, Juventus and Rabiot could not agree on a contract extension, although talks continued for a couple of weeks after the Frenchman officially became a free agent at the start of July.
© Imago
Rabiot 'in talks' with two English clubs
However, such discussions failed to yield a positive solution, and the Old Lady confirmed earlier this week that they had parted ways after a successful five-year spell together.
Now one of the most high-profile free agents on the market, Rabiot is thought to be at the heart of a multi-team transfer tussle, with Bayern Munich and Barcelona leading the overseas interest.
In terms of Premier League suitors, Manchester United and Liverpool have been named as the main contenders, and journalist Romain Collet-Gaudin claims that both teams are in talks with his camp.
Collet-Gaudin reports that the ex-Paris Saint-Germain midfielder favours a move to Old Trafford over Anfield, though, and Man United are 'getting closer' to a long-awaited transfer.
Merseyside outlets have posted conflicting reports about Liverpool's interest, though, insisting that the Reds are not in the race for Rabiot, but Man United have apparently never lost sight of him.
What will Rabiot bring to Man United?
Adrien Rabiot se rapproche de Manchester United !
— Romain Collet-Gaudin (@RomainCG75) July 19, 2024
Libre de tout contrat depuis le 30/06, le joueur préfère Man Utd à Liverpool.
L'entourage en discussions avec les 2 clubs anglais. pic.twitter.com/sQWlXPvsnf
While the 20-time English champions are in need of midfield reinforcements, money is somewhat tight at the minute after the big-money captures of Dutch attacker Joshua Zirkzee and French defender Leny Yoro.
Signing a player of Rabiot's ilk on a free transfer is seemingly a no-brainer in that case, and the 29-year-old proved himself to be a consistent goal threat from midfield during his successful spell at Juventus.
Rabiot managed 22 strikes of his own in addition to 15 assists for the Bianconeri and hit a rich vein of form in 2022-23 in particular, scoring eight goals and setting up four more in 32 Serie A appearances.
As well as his qualities in the final third, Rabiot's 6ft 2in frame makes him a formidable physical presence too, and the 29-year-old is an ideal fit to replace Casemiro, who is widely expected to depart in the ongoing window.
Ben Knapton
