Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag may be feeling a sense of deja vu with his pursuit of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot seemingly back at square one.
The Dutch boss has now turned to other alternatives after stalling in his pursuit of Chelsea star Mason Mount. United have had three bids rejected for the England star, and are seemingly unwilling to negotiate the proposal made by the London club to up their offer to £58million plus add-ons.
As a result, Ten Hag is renegotiating terms with French international Rabiot, 12 months after he first registered interest. He was identified as a potential recruit last summer, but a deal failed to materialise.
Rabiot, 28, is currently eligible to move on a free transfer this summer, with his contract expiring on June 30. And with the funding available to him still unclear amid the prolonged takeover saga at Old Trafford, Ten Hag knows the deal could save him a large chunk of his war chest as be bids to reinforce his squad.
However, despite Ten Hag making contact with Rabiot, a new twist has since emerged, with reports the star is set to remain with his club in Serie A. Corrieredellosport have claimed that Rabiot will sign a contract renewal with Juventus as early as Wednesday.
It follows the news that manager of The Old Lady, Massimiliano Allegri, will remain at the club. The Italian has rejected a massive £17million-a-year deal from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, opting instead to extend his second stint at his current club.
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And according to the report, Allegri has vowed to give Rabiot a pivotal role again in 2023/24: "He will continue to entrust him with the keys to the midfield, he will start again for him," it said. "In the end Adrien was convinced and chose the Old Lady again."
It means yet more frustration for Ten Hag this summer, who is thus far having transfer window to forget. Despite being touted to bring in a host of reinforcements ahead of the next Premier League campaign, the Dutchman is yet to get a deal over the line with his side's first pre-season game little over a fortnight away.
His quest to land a top striker is also yet to materialise. The club have been linked with a £100million move for Harry Kane, but he now seems set to see out the final year of his contract in north London.
