Man Utd ready to break transfer rule to sign free agent in ‘embarrassing’ situation

Robin Bairner

Updated: 9 Sept 2024 17:32 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are ready to bend their rules in order to sign Adrien Rabiot, who is presently available as a free agent.

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Rabiot is one of the most prominent free agents in the game presently and can still join up with a club outside of the transfer window because he is not registered to another team.

The France international has been training alone all summer and has been subject to significant interest but has so far priced himself out of a deal, with mother Veronique Rabiot, who acts as his agent, seeking to drive a hard bargain for her son.

CaughtOffside indicates that Man Utd are ready to break one of their golden transfer rules to sign the central midfielder.

United have focussed on signing young talent this summer, so with Rabiot approaching 30, he breaks that structure.

However, the report states that the Red Devils are having talks over whether they should make an exception for Rabiot, who is tipped as an “upgrade” for the “struggling” Casemiro. It is added that manager Erik ten Hag is also short in this area after failing to replace either Scott McTominay or Sofyan Amrabat.

Newcastle are also interested in Rabiot while Barcelona have also discussed signing the player.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

© IMAGO - Adrien Rabiot with mother and agent Veronique

’Embarrassing situation

France head coach Didier Deschamps has spoken out over the player’s failure to land a club this summer, which has meant he has not been selected for the squad in the current international window.

“Adrien Rabiot has a somewhat embarrassing situation. His contract was expiring and he was solicited by several teams... but now he’s without a team and doesn’t train with any squad,” Deschamps said last week.

“I hope he can quickly choose a club that can then bring him back to us.”

France will face Belgium on Monday in Lyon, with Rabiot unable to add to his 48 caps.