Manchester United’s move for Juventus and France midfielder Adrien Rabiot now appears to be off.
An hour after Fabrizio Romano reported talks between United and Rabiot were stalling, The Athletic now claim the deal has collapsed, describing it as ‘highly unlikely’.
Rabiot reportedly wanted to become one of the best paid players in the United team, with the club unwilling to grant this request.
This isn’t a bad decision from United. Moving for Rabiot was a peculiar choice in the first place, it’s just frustrating to waste more than a week on the saga.
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23
Adrien Rabiot deal collapses
The Times had reported Manchester United had agreed a £19 million move with Juventus for Rabiot. This money can now go back into the transfer pot.
This all leads to the question, what next?
Potentially, it could lead to a stay of execution for James Garner’s United career, he was linked with an exit this week. But there is no mention of him in The Athletic‘s report.
Instead, United are going to head back into the transfer market and look at another transfer target.
Two names are mentioned with very different profiles, Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, a player the club passed on in 2021, and Real Madrid’s Casemiro.
Marca reported Manchester United were interested in a move for Casemiro earlier today.
The Athletic report United “are thought to be in the final stages of deciding where their budget will be best spent and remain confident of adding an elite player in the position before the market closes.”
It adds a move for Frenkie de Jong is ‘improbable’ although United have not entirely given up.
Missing out on Rabiot won’t make any United fan sad. He always seemed like an average option who would not improve the club’s poor midfield very much.
This is a chance to reset, and go again, but the club need to be decisive. Far too much time has been wasted this transfer window already.
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