Manchester United's hopes of signing free agent Adrien Rabiot have reportedly taken a major blow as the club is currently finding the French international's demands too costly to pursue.
While the summer transfer window closed 10 days ago, English clubs are still permitted to sign players provided they are listed as free agents.
Rabiot, who is among the prominent players still searching for a new team after his Juventus contract ended in July, remains available and has been on the radar of several clubs across Europe.
AC Milan had shown interest in the France international towards the end of the window, but their pursuit waned after Ismael Bennacer opted to remain at the club.
With the 2024-25 season already underway, Rabiot's representatives are believed to be exploring all options to secure him a new club, including engaging in discussions with Man United, who are long-term admirers of the 29-year-old.
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Man United deem Rabiot demands too costly to pursue
However, according to Football Insider, while talks between the parties are still ongoing, the Red Devils currently feel that the France international's demands remain too costly for them to pursue.
United recently splashed out £42m to sign Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain and also retained the services of Casemiro, who was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
At 32, Casemiro is still one of the Red Devils' top earners, currently pocketing in the region of £350,000 per week, while the likes of fellow midfielders Antony and Mason Mount each take home over £200,000 weekly.
Italian news outlet Calciomercato reported over the weekend that Rabiot is insisting on £8.5m per season in wages and a further £12.6m signing-on bonus, separate from the commission expected for his agent and mother Veronique.
It is understood that Juventus offered the Frenchman a two-year extension with his existing salary of around £6.5m per year, but he turned it down.
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Rabiot to remain out of France squad until signing for new club
Rabiot was a regular in France's squad at the European Championship earlier this year but was left out of Les Bleus' squad for the Nations League group stage openers against Italy and Belgium over the last week.
Following his departure from Juve, the 29-year-old has been training alone and Didier Deschamps provided the following explanation as to why he left the midfielder out of his selection list.
In an interview with the media, Deschamps said: "Adrien Rabiot has a somewhat embarrassing situation. His contract was expiring and he was solicited by several teams but now he's without a team and doesn't train in a group.
"I hope he can quickly choose a club that can then bring him back to us."
Aside from the Red Devils, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr have also been credited with interest in the former Juve man, while Barcelona are also said to be monitoring the situation amid their current midfield crisis.
Devesh Jaganath
