Adrien Rabiot transfer fee agreed: How much will Man Utd pay?
Manchester United and Juventus have agreed a transfer fee for Adrien Rabiot that will see the Red Devils pay an initial €18 million, according to multiple sources in Italy and England.
This initial fee could eventually reach €24m with add-ons and bonuses.
Rabiot still needs to agree personal terms with Man Utd but this is a transfer that is expected to go through now.
Man Utd moved for the Frenchman due to the difficulty in bringing in their primary central midfield target, Frenkie de Jong.
De Jong is reluctant to leave Barcelona for Man Utd as he sees the English side as a step-down in his career, while he also has unresolved financial issues with the Catalans.
Rabiot is available for sale as he has one year left on his contract and there is no intention on the part of the player or his club side Juventus to extend his deal.
The 27-year-old joined Juve on a free transfer in the summer of 2019 from PSG (pictured below playing for PSG).
However, he has been somewhat underwhelming with the Bianconeri, scoring just five goals and assisting five in Serie A since arriving.
He helped the club win the Scudetto in his first season but Juventus have declined badly in the last two campaigns – finishing fourth in both.
Juventus have moved to strengthen their midfield this summer, bringing in Paul Pogba on a free from Man Utd and also negotiating for PSG’s Leandro Paredes.
Rabiot to improve Man Utd midfield?
United will hope that Rabiot improves a central midfield that has been heavily criticised in recent years.
This was the case again on Sunday as Fred and Scott McTominay played badly in the 2-1 home defeat to Brighton.
This was the worst possible start for new Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag, who could now drop both of his first choice holding midfielders in favour of moving Christian Eriksen deeper and partnering him with new signing Rabiot.