‘Goodbye and thank you’ – Man United target shares farewell message as Red Devils agreement ‘progressing nicely’
‘Goodbye and thank you’ – Man United target shares farewell message as Red Devils agreement ‘progressing nicely’
Free agent Adrien Rabiot is attracting a number of potential suitors after leaving Juventus
Top Manchester United target Adrien Rabiot has shared an emotional farewell post confirming his departure from Juventus after a successful five-year stint with the Italian giants.
The 48-time French international joined Juventus from PSG back in 2019 and made a total of 227 appearances for the Turin-based side whilst lifting one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia’s and one Supercoppa Italiana.
He has vast experience competing at the top of European football and was also an ever present in a PSG team which lifted five consecutive Ligue 1 titles, four consecutive Coupe de France, five consecutive Coupe de la Ligue and four Trophee des Champions.
Rabiot also lifted the 2021 Nations League with France and formed part of the team which reached the final of the 2022 World Cup and the semi-final of this summer’s European Championships. Such experience makes him a key target for Manchester United, who are hunting for an experienced defensive midfielder to add valuable leadership to the team next season.
The 29-year-old, who is available on a free transfer, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, which reads: “After 5 seasons at Juventus, 5 years in Turin, I want to say goodbye and thank you. All of you who have been there for me. The club and all its staff. Thanks for everything Juventus. Goodbye and good luck.”
Caught Offside reports that Manchester United are now in talks to land Rabiot on a free transfer this summer and claims they are the frontrunners ahead of the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Galatasaray. Talks between Rabiot’s representatives and United are believed to be progressing nicely but it is suspected that the Frenchman will command a salary of around £8-£9m a year which is thought to be quite hefty at this time when also factoring in a signing on bonus.
Manchester United are pushing hard to get the deal done as soon as possible ahead of their Premier League opener against Fulham on 16 August and their Community Shield clash a week earlier on 10 August. As it stands, Rabiot is seen as a priority target but the Caught Offside report adds that a younger alternative could be AS Monaco’s 25-year-old midfielder Youssouf Fofana, if a deal isn’t reached in the coming weeks.
Fofana has made 22 appearances for Les Bleus and is regarded as a tough-tackling box-to-box midfielder. He is also considered a key target for West Ham United this summer as they continue to look to fill the void left by Declan Rice’s departure 12 months ago.
