Manchester United are expected to be busy this summer with Sir Jim Ratcliffe now making decisions at Old Trafford.
The CEO of INEOS has already pinched Omar Berrada from Manchester City to work as Chief Football Operations Officer at Manchester United, while Jason Wilcox looks set to arrive from Southampton as the new Director of Football.
There may also be a managerial change – amid talk of Manchester United becoming more and more keen to replace Erik ten Hag with Julian Nagelsmann – although this summer could see the Red Devils sign a player they have wanted since 2019 for free as well…
Manchester United could sign long-term target for free
Well – according to le10sport – Manchester United were very keen to sign Adrien Rabiot for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back in June 2019.
A move to Old Trafford failed to materialise for the France international back then, and also in the summer of 2022 when his £15m switch to Manchester United fell apart due to salary demands, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Now, however – according to Sportslens – Manchester United could sign Rabiot for free this summer.
It is said that Juventus are planning a clear out with four players at risk of being offloaded, and Manchester United are mentioned as one of those showing interest in the 29-year-old.
Sportslens believe Samuel Iling-Junior, Federico Chiesa and Weston McKennie could all be sold, while it is unlikely that Rabiot will be offered a new contract when his current terms expire in July.
That means Manchester United and the Frenchman could finally unite, although the thinking on the recruitment team has surely changed since 2019 – with Ratcliffe now involved.
Competition for Adrien Rabiot
If Manchester United do decide to make a move for Rabiot this summer, it may take some effort.
A story from Corriere dello Sport states that Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are all keeping an eye on the Juventus No.25’s situation as the Premier League trio contemplate a free transfer swoop.
Even if Manchester United do manage to fend off the Gunners, Spurs and the Reds, a difficult conversation with Rabiot could follow.
Free transfers usually involve the player in question receiving a larger salary to counterbalance the lack of any transfer fee, which is why Alexis Sanchez was handed wages of £560,000-a-week at Old Trafford.
As aforesaid, Rabiot’s move to Manchester United in 2022 collapsed due to salary demands, so he might actually request a huge increase on his current £148,000-a-week wages when he hits free agency.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as anything could happen this summer.
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