Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot has ended speculation over his future by agreeing to a new contract with the Old Lady.
The 28-year-old would have originally been available on a free transfer from July onwards and was believed to have been of interest to Manchester United.
The Red Devils tried and failed to sign Rabiot in the summer of 2022, striking a deal over a fee with Juve but failing to agree personal terms with the player's camp.
After his proposed move to the Theatre of Dreams was blocked last year, Rabiot shone for Juventus during the 2022-23 season, in spite of his uncertain contract situation.
Man United were understood to have recently reignited contacts with Rabiot's mother and agent Veronique Rabiot over a summer move, as Erik ten Hag seeks cut-price additions to his midfield.
However, it was subsequently reported that Juve were closing in on an agreement with Rabiot over a new contract, with Massimiliano Allegri a driving force in the decision.
Now, Juve have confirmed that Rabiot has penned a new one-year contract until the end of the 2023-24 season, ending Man United's hopes of a deal for the time being, but his future beyond next summer remains uncertain.
The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder starred in the Bianconeri midfield last term, coming up with 11 goals and six assists from 48 matches across all competitions.
Rabiot's eight strikes in Serie A could only be bettered by Dusan Vlahovic's 10, and he now has 17 goals and 12 assists to show from 177 matches in a Juventus shirt since joining on a free transfer in 2019.
Rabiot has won one Serie A title, one Coppa Italia and one Supercoppa Italiana at the Allianz Stadium, and Man United must now search elsewhere to bolster their midfield for the 2023-24 season.
The 28-year-old had seemingly emerged as an ideal alternative to Chelsea's Mason Mount, who has now been the subject of three failed bids from the Red Devils, the most recent of which was worth circa £55m.
Chelsea are believed to be demanding as much as £65m to let Mount leave, and while Man United's third bid remains on the table, they are intensifying their pursuits of alternative targets.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo has been mentioned as a possible acquisition after Man United passed up on the chance to bring him to Old Trafford in 2021, but Chelsea are currently thought to be the frontrunners for the Ecuadorian.
A new striker and goalkeeper could also arrive at the Theatre of Dreams, but Ten Hag is supposedly reluctant to sign a new number one while talks continue with David de Gea over a new contract.
In order to fund another significant summer spree, Man United have allegedly transfer-listed as many as 13 unwanted players, including Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire. body check tags ::
