Manchester United are unlikely to pursue a January move for Juventus and France international Adrien Rabiot, despite Erik ten Hag’s side showing interest in bringing the midfielder to Old Trafford in the summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The 27-year-old is currently in Qatar on World Cup duty with Didier Deschamps’ Les Blues squad, aiming to retain their 2018 title.
Man Utd transfer news – Adrien Rabiot
According to BBC Sport back in August, Manchester United were linked with bringing Rabiot to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window before the midfielder’s move from Juventus collapsed.
The same source says that a transfer fee had been agreed upon between the two European giants, but wages were the issue with the Frenchman’s wage demands being significantly higher than that of what the Red Devils were willing to pay, with the midfielder's mother and agent Veronique demanding he be paid the same as Bruno Fernandes' £240k-per-week wages, according to The Sun.
The Saint-Maurice-born star has since recovered from that transfer disappointment to make 16 appearances for Juventus this season, scoring five goals and providing two assists, according to Transfermarkt.
But Jones does not believe that United will pursue a deal for the midfielder again in the January transfer window.
What has Jones said about Rabiot and Man Utd?
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Is Rabiot still going to be one they pursue?
“I doubt it based on what happened in that moment.
“I think it was kind of something that was there, there and then and it's probably passed them by now and they'll probably move on to something else.
“But it is interesting how well Rabiot has done generally, considering what he was considered to be at that moment.”
What next for Man Utd?
In terms of transfer business that Manchester United could pursue in the new year, it looks as though PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands star Cody Gakpo may be the club’s primary transfer target this winter according to The Sun, with Fabrizio Romano suggesting the forward could cost £43m January.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils are also looking to Europe for a deal for a right-back, with Sky Sports Germany reporting that talks with Bayer Leverkusen over the potential transfer of former Celtic right-back Jeremie Frimpong could “accelerate” after the World Cup.
In terms of midfield alternatives to Rabiot, the club are also gearing up to make a move for Brighton and Hove Albion and Ecuador midfielder Moisés Caicedo alongside Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham according to Florian Plettenberg, suggesting that ten Hag still feels he needs to add more quality and depth to his side, heading into the second half of the campaign.