£12.9m: Man Utd make 'concrete steps' to sign potential bargain De Jong alternative - report

Manchester United have taken ‘concrete steps’ towards signing Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot this summer, according to a new transfer rumour.

Rabiot started 28 of his side’s Serie A games last season, but with just a year left on his current, he could be shipped off before he leaves on a free in 2023.

United have been linked with a summer move for the Frenchman recently, as Erik ten Hag looks to make midfield signings to make up for the losses of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.

It appears as though their interest isn’t going away, following a fresh report from the Italian press.

According to Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], United have taken ‘concrete steps’ in their quest to sign Rabiot, with his price tag ‘not a problem’ due to the contract situation – Juve want just €15m (£12.9m).

The move is described as ‘not simple’, however, with the player unsure over the transfer, perhaps due to United’s lack of Champions League football next season.

Rabiot could be exactly the type of player United have missed for so long – someone who can bring guile and elegance to central midfield, playing key passes but also providing a combative presence. He has been hailed as a ‘complete player’ by Andrea Pirlo, which speaks volumes.

He has made 227 and 129 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, respectively, which says a lot about his pedigree, and he also has 29 caps to his name for France.

Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong would still arguably be a better option – his pass completion rate of 91.3% in the league last season was superior to Rabiot’s 83.3% – but the Juve man would be a strong and potentially bargain alternative.

In other news, David Ornstein has made a United transfer claim. Read more here.

Source