Man Utd set to make move for combative Marseille midfielder 'available for sale'

Adrien Rabiot could be an ideal cut-price option for Manchester United who are tipped to make an offer for the combative midfielder.

His turbulent career has taken another twist after Marseille placed the French midfielder on the transfer list following a dressing-room bust-up with teammate Jonathan Rowe.

The disciplinary move has alerted several clubs across Europe—and inevitably, Manchester United have once again been linked with a move.

United’s interest in Rabiot is nothing new. The Red Devils came close to signing him from Juventus in the summer of 2022, only for the deal to collapse amid wage demands and agent fees deemed too high by the club.

Rabiot himself later admitted he had “great talks” with United but questioned the direction of the team at the time. Now, with his future in France in serious doubt, Old Trafford is once more being touted as a potential destination.

From a footballing perspective, the move makes sense. At 30, Rabiot brings both international experience and versatility, capable of operating as a defensive shield or as a progressive ball-carrier in midfield.

United’s engine room remains a work in progress, with Casemiro struggling for consistency and questions over whether Kobbie Mainoo should carry so much responsibility so early in his career.

Manager Rúben Amorim is believed to want an experienced midfielder to stabilise his system, and Rabiot could fit the bill.

Financially, too, the deal looks far more attainable than some of the ambitious targets United have chased this summer, reported the Manchester Evening News.

Marseille are reportedly willing to accept a fee in the region of €15–20 million—far below the €80m it would take to lure Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid. For a club needing reinforcements across multiple areas, that lower price tag could be decisive.

There are, however, risks. Rabiot’s career has been dogged by inconsistency and off-field distractions, and his sudden fall from favour at Marseille is a reminder of his combustible reputation. United must weigh whether his undoubted talent outweighs the potential baggage.

For now, Rabiot represents a realistic and affordable option for United’s midfield rebuild. Whether the club finally pulls the trigger on a player they have admired for years remains to be seen.