Transfer Centre

Newcastle United to battle Manchester United for Juventus' Adrien Rabiot?

By Carter White | 09 October 2023

Newcastle to battle Man United for Adrien Rabiot?

Newcastle United and Manchester United are reportedly keen on Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who is only contracted with the Old Lady until June 2024.

Newcastle United have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the upcoming January transfer window.

The 28-year-old has been a regular figure for Juve so far during the 2023-24 term, starting eight Serie A matches for the club and providing three goal contributions.

Rabiot joined the Italian giants on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2019 and has since appeared on 184 occasions, scoring 18 goals from the engine room.

The midfielder has also been a key part of his national side since making a full international debut in December 2015, being capped 39 times for France, making the net ripple three times.

According to Calciomercato, Newcastle United are interested in bringing Rabiot to St James' Park in the future, as the Magpies continue to evolve under Saudi-backed ownership.

Juventus' Adrien Rabiot in action with Napoli's Victor Osimhen on April 23, 2023 © Reuters

Eddie Howe's side achieved a remarkable fourth-placed finish in the Premier League last term, securing a place in the Champions League for the first time in two decades.

Newcastle were drawn into a tricky-looking group alongside PSG, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, with the North-East outfit recently dismantling Kylian Mbappe and company 4-1 at St James' Park on gameweek two of the competition.

The report also claims that Man United are keen on luring Rabiot to Old Trafford, with the Red Devils looking to eventually transform into a title-winning side under Erik ten Hag.

United bolstered their midfield this summer with the acquisition of Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina, however the Moroccan has been deployed at full-back in recent matches amid an injury crisis in defence.

Despite serious interest from English clubs, Juventus are said to be wanting to retain the services of Rabiot past the end of the current campaign.

Juventus' Adrien Rabiot celebrates scoring their first goal with Juan Cuadrado, Alex Sandro and Dusan Vlahovic on April 20, 2023 © Reuters

It is understood that the Old Lady are hoping to strike a deal with the player and his agent that would see the former Toulouse man stay in Turin until the summer of 2027.

Rabiot's old contract at the Serie A side was coming to an end at the conclusion of last season, however a stellar term from the Frenchman persuaded Juve to hand the midfielder a one-year contraction extension in June.

Newcastle focused on improving their squad depth during the summer as they prepared to fight on four fronts in the 2023-24 season, as the Magpies made their exciting return to the Champions League.

Howe's men will restart their Premier League action after the campaign's second international break with the visit of Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace on October 21.