Erik ten Hag is ready to press ahead with plans to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot - 12 months after Manchester United walked away from a deal due to the Frenchman's excessive salary demands.
Ten Hag was appointed in the wake of United's worst-ever season in the Premier League era, but the Dutchman has enjoyed a fine maiden campaign at Old Trafford, with the club currently on course to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Regardless of whether United finish in the top-four or not, Ten Hag will require more funds to continue remoulding a squad that is still some way off being capable of challenging Manchester City for the title. And while an elite striker is at the top of Ten Hag's summer wishlist, he also has targets elsewhere.
Rabiot is one of them, according to French outlet L'Equipe. The 28-year-old is due to become a free agent at the end of June after running down his deal at Juventus and has been identified as a priority target by Ten Hag.
Manchester United's hopes of striking a deal with Rabiot this time around could be complicated, though, by rival interest from Newcastle, who are also in the market for midfield reinforcements. United are hopeful that Ten Hag's previous discussions with Rabiot would aid their cause if a bidding war does ensue for the midfield maestro, who has won 37 caps for the France national team.
Rabiot's stock is high after a fine season in Turin, where he has notched 11 goals in all competitions. Juventus would very much like to retain the midfielder's services, but the Italian giants do not have the funds to do so.
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Even before last summer's talks, Rabiot was no stranger to the Manchester United hierarchy. The highly-rated midfielder was previously courted by the club during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's tenure.
Solskjaer and former Old Trafford chief executive Ed Woodward mulled over a move for Rabiot back in 2019 when he was, ironically, also available on a free transfer after running down his contract at Paris Saint-Germain.
However, reports at the time claimed there were concerns over Rabiot's attitude and United ended up passing on a deal that Solskjaer ultimately deemed to be too risky.
Rabiot hinted back in March that he was open to pursuing a fresh opportunity after rebuilding his career at Juventus under the stewardship of Massimiliano Allegri. He said: "I feel good in Turin, I do a good job at the club and there's a good relationship with the directors, my team-mates and the coach.
"He also helped me in two years as well as giving me a lot of confidence. I believe that all of this is important to feel good and therefore make the right choice for my future."
