Adrien Rabiot set to hold Liverpool ‘talks’ as Man Utd battle for free transfer

Adrien Rabiot is set to hold talks with Liverpool and Manchester United after leaving Juventus. The French midfielder became a free agent at the start of the month when his contract with the Italian club expired.

Rabiot is expected to officially announce his departure from Juventus this week, which will likely draw interest from several clubs across Europe. According to Football Italia, Rabiot plans to engage in discussions with Liverpool and Manchester United, among others, as he considers his next career move.

Newcastle United is also reportedly planning talks with Rabiot, while AC Milan and Napoli, now managed by Antonio Conte, will attempt to convince him to remain in Italy. However, Rabiot’s salary demands, which are expected to be around £7.5 million per year, may be too high for Serie A clubs, as Juventus’ final offer was around £5.8 million per year.

Rabiot has frequently been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United being long-term admirers. United have previously engaged in talks with Rabiot during his time at Paris Saint-Germain, but a move did not materialize. The French midfielder was also on United’s radar following Erik ten Hag’s appointment, but a deal did not come to fruition. United are reportedly seeking midfield reinforcements this summer, targeting Manuel Ugarte, but with a limited transfer budget, they might find Rabiot’s free transfer status appealing.

Over the weekend, United secured Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna and are close to signing Lille’s young talent Leny Yoro. However, they might need to offload players before acquiring Ugarte.

Liverpool, on the other hand, does not have an immediate need for central midfielders following last summer’s overhaul. While new manager Arne Slot might consider bolstering the squad before the season starts, there are doubts over whether Liverpool needs to add to its midfield. According to Liverpool.com, despite being available on a free transfer, Rabiot’s hefty wage demands could make the move less attractive, as Liverpool may prioritize other positions before the new campaign.