Ten Hag contacts France star to push through Man Utd move

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
• 3 min read

Erik ten Hag has contacted Adrien Rabiot personally in recent days over a summer transfer to Manchester United.

That is according to L’Equipe, who report on Sunday that Man Utd are making a big push to try and complete the free transfer of Rabiot as soon as possible.

Rabiot’s contract at Juventus expires at the end of the current season and a new deal is looking unlikely.

READ MORE: Who is Veronique Rabiot?

Juventus coach Max Allegri would like to extend Rabiot but the uncertainty engulfing the club with regards to possible points penalties, expulsion from European competition and Allegri’s own future means the midfielder is unwilling to commit right now.

United are now going in strong for Rabiot, who has enjoyed the best club season of his career this season scoring 11 goals in all competitions.

Ten Hag has made the signing of a new central midfielder to partner Casemiro a big priority in the summer.

Rabiot close to joining Man Utd

Rabiot was very close to joining Man Utd last summer, with the 28-year-old locked in advanced negotiations with the Red Devils.

It is widely understood that Juventus and Man Utd agreed on a transfer fee worth €18 million plus €6m in add-ons.

All that was required to complete the move was for Rabiot to agree personal terms.

However, Rabiot requested a huge salary rise. His mother and agent Veronique was blamed for these excessive demands, also asking for a huge signing-on bonus.

Subsequently, Man Utd refused to meet these salary demands and the transfer fell through.

Instead, United opted to pay substantially more in buying Real Madrid legend Casemiro for over €70m.

Rabiot could now potentially arrive a year later on a free transfer.

He impressed at the World Cup in December, playing a key role in France’s journey to the final where they lost on penalties to Argentina after a thrilling 3-3 draw.