Manchester United working on signing 28-year-old star on free transfer

Manchester United are back in the race for the signatures of Adrien Rabiot, having failed to secure his services last summer.

United football director John Murtough travelled to Turin during the last summer transfer window in hopes of signing the Juventus midfielder. The hierarchy managed to agree a fee in principle with the Serie A outfit but failed to find an agreement over personal terms with the France international’s representatives.

With the 28-year-old’s contract set to run out next month after four seasons in Italy, Juventus are out of the picture as far as the negotiations over any transfer fee are concerned. But the main hurdle still remains: convincing the player and his mother Veronique Rabiot.

Manchester United want Rabiot on a free transfer

According to French outlet L’Equipe (via GFFN), United are pushing to sign soon-to-be free agent Rabiot. Ten Hag already held talks with the Frenchman last summer, and discussions have intensified lately on the United manager’s initiative.

Newcastle, who sit above fourth-placed United in the Premier League table on goal difference, are also in the race for Rabiot.

However, Ten Hag has made signing the 2022 World Cup finalist an “important objective” for United, as is the signing of Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur.

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The Red Devils have struggled to physically dominate teams in the middle of the park and progress the ball through the middle. Going forward, the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho have created chances regularly, but the absence of a clinical finisher have cost them several points this season.

With three games to go, United still haven’t booked a place in the Champions League for next campaign, and will have to collect six points to remain in the top four in the event Liverpool win all their games.