LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: A general view inside the stadium as Neal Maupay of Brighton & Hove Albion scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on December 27, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Following Deadline Day, three London clubs were rumored to be interested in signing the France international on a free transfer.
Despite their best efforts, West Ham was unable to’seduce’ Adrien Rabiot, a French international, this summer as they tried to take advantage of a possible transfer to Manchester United.
Due to the expiration of his Juventus contract, the 29-year-old ultimately decided to return home, with Marseille set to sign him this coming week. The 48-time France player, formerly of PSG, is about to sign a two-year contract in the south of France.
Expert in transfers Fabrizio Romano posted on social media on Monday, saying: “Adrien Rabiot has signed a two-year contract with Olympique Marseille, and the club has scheduled his flight and physical. As was disclosed yesterday, the French international was persuaded by the proposal put up by Longoria, Benatia, and de Zerbi.”
Rabiot’s contract with Juventus expired on June 30th. French publication L’Equipe is also covering the impending transfer and gives additional background on why a move to the Premier League didn’t happen for Rabiot. According to the report, the midfield player has been searching for a transfer for’months’.
Rabiot played 35 games for Juventus in all competitions last season, with three assists and five goals from center midfield. In December of last year, former Juventus player Giancarlo Marocchi lauded the youngster for his “leadership” and “crazy” inventiveness.
Rabiot prioritized playing European football, which put Manchester United and Atletico Madrid first. The Red Devils reportedly made the player an offer on a four-year contract.
The midfielder was rumored to have received offers from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur last week, but he was still without a club. According to teamTALK, the player has been in contact with both Arsenal and Spurs on a possible free move. Arsenal and Spurs are rivals in North London.
After being left out of France’s Nations League squad this month, it is said that the Frenchman’s pay demands had been troublesome in negotiations over the summer. However, with the season well underway, he had become open to taking a cheaper offer in order to be playing again.
