France star can save Man Utd €100m if Ratcliffe forgets Joao Neves

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 25 Mar 2024 09:45 GMT
• 4 min read

Manchester United are lining up an alternative target to Benfica’s Joao Neves in the summer transfer market, with a familiar face available on a free transfer.

The Red Devils are known to want to strengthen their central midfield area, and while Neves is a name who has been linked with the Old Trafford side, his €100 million price tag is proving off-putting.

Instead, Man Utd are ready to revisit the possibility of signing Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who is out of contract at the end of the season and will, therefore, be available on a free transfer, according to Caught Offside.

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A 28-year-old France international, Rabiot could provide Man Utd with both quality and top-level experience in the heart of their midfield, having played over 400 times for PSG and Juve.

He has featured on 24 occasions for Juventus this season, scoring four goals and creating three more.

According to data analytics experts SciSports, Rabiot would be a significantly better short-term option for Man Utd than Neves.

READ MORE: Who is Veronique Rabiot? The controversial mother of possible new Man Utd signing

It demonstrates that the former PSG star is of a significantly higher standard than the teenager, who has been one of the rising stars of European football this season.

Although Neves is expected to reach around the same standard as Rabiot, the analysis experts predict it will take several years for him to do that.

Equally, the style they play is different. While the Frenchman has acted like a playmaker this season, the young Portuguese has been a holding midfielder.

Rabiot is known for his out-sized personality, with a move to Man Utd previously breaking down due to the demands of his mother Veronique, who has earned the reputation as being very difficult to work with.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

Man Utd looking at alternatives

Erik ten Hag’s side are, therefore, not banking on a deal being done for the Frenchman are also looking at his international teammate Youssouf Fofana of Monaco, according to the report.

Rumours of interest in Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners are played down, however, with Liverpool, Juventus and Napoli more seriously studying him.

Man Utd are set to allow Sofyan Amrabat to leave the club this summer after a disappointing loan spell from Fiorentina, in which he has struggled to impose himself.

The Red Devils have, however, done an apparent U-turn over the future of Scotland international Scott McTominay. Having been a player earmarked for the exit, the academy product is now being touted for a new contract.