Why Man Utd could sign summer target Rabiot for free

Suraj Radia

29 Sept 2022 22:03 BST
3 min read

Adrien Rabiot, Juventus, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Manchester United are considering revisiting a move for summer target Adrien Rabiot in January and they could end up signing the Juventus midfielder for free.

Article continues under the video

Rabiot was subject to a €20 million bid during the summer but United failed to agreed personal terms with Veronique, his mother and agent, despite reportedly offering wages of around €10m a year.

Rabiot's current reported €8m salary makes him Juve's second-highest earner and the club have no intention on renewing his deal for that type of money due to their financial concerns.

Reports in Italy claim that Juventus are planning to let high earners Rabiot, Angel Di Maria, Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro leave when their contracts expire next summer after the club posted record losses recently.

However, United are reportedly still interested in Rabiot and Juventus are willing to let the 27-year-old leave in January in the hopes of receiving a fee for him.

But United could end up striking a pre-contract agreement to sign Rabiot for free next summer instead, although they face competition from Paris Saint-Germain, who are also considering re-signing their former academy graduate.

Juventus announced that they ended the last financial year with losses of €254.3m, the highest in Serie A history after Inter's €245.6m the previous year.

Di Maria signed a one-year contract worth up to €7.5m with Juve this summer, having made it clear to the club that he wanted a short-term deal before returning to his native Argentina next year.

Negotiations were being held with Cuadrado for him to take a wage cut on his current €5m salary, however those talks came to nothing and he is likely to leave along with Sandro, who is paid €6.5m.

Could United move for Rabiot?

Rabiot was considered an alternative in the summer for Frenkie de Jong, who had stalled over a move to Old Trafford, although some reports suggested United wanted both players in midfield.

The club ended up signing Casemiro from Real Madrid for £70m but Erik ten Hag is still keen on signing a midfielder in January and Rabiot could be seen as a more affordable option.

Contract renewals:

- Danilo is close to extending his contract with Juve until 2025.
- Alex Sandro, Cuadrado, & Rabiot are ready to say goodbye.
- Pinsoglio will stay but he won't keep his same salary (350k euros/year currently).

- La Gazzetta
— Juve Canal (@juve_canal) September 24, 2022

While his wages will still be a concern, any fee will likely be nominal compared to the amount agreed in the summer and the savings could be supplemented into Rabiot's salary.

Rabiot also reportedly had concerns over whether the Premier League side were the right club for him but, with his Juve career set to end this season and United showing signs of progress under Ten Hag, he may still consider a move.