Manchester United are reportedly working on a deal to bring Adrien Rabiot to the club from Juventus.
The France international only has one year left to run on his deal with the Old Lady and is widely expected to depart in the coming weeks.
A return to his homeland has been mooted for the ex-Paris Saint-Germain man, who was thought to have been in talks over a switch to Lyon at one stage.
Now, The Athletic reports that Man United are hoping to secure the 27-year-old's signature, with Erik ten Hag determined to bolster his midfield options.
The report adds that the Red Devils are yet to agree personal terms with Rabiot, but Juventus would likely accept a nominal fee given his contract situation.
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The midfielder featured regularly under Massimiliano Allegri last term with two assists in 45 games across all competitions, as he started 28 games in Serie A from the middle of the park or out wide.
Rabiot has now amassed a total of six goals and six assists in 129 games for the Bianconeri since joining on a free transfer in 2019, winning one Serie A title and one Coppa Italia in the process.
A report from the Manchester Evening News goes a step further, claiming that an agreement in principle has already been reached with Juventus, with a £15m upfront payment rising to as much as £20m with add-ons.
However, the Red Devils now face the unenviable task of negotiating personal terms with the player and his mother, who also acts his agent and has developed a fierce reputation for her bullish attitude.
Juve bolstered their midfield options with the return of Paul Pogba from Man United earlier this summer, but the Frenchman then suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season training.
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Pogba's injury could have shelved Allegri's plans to part ways with a number of his midfielders, with Aaron Ramsey already leaving and Arthur being tipped to follow suit alongside Rabiot.
The Bianconeri are still thought to be open to a departure for Rabiot, who is in talks with Man United at a time where the Red Devils are still being frustrated in their efforts to sign Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.
The 25-year-old is still determined to remain at Camp Nou for the 2022-23 season and is embroiled in a bitter dispute with Barcelona over his deferred wages, which reportedly amount to over £15m.
Barcelona could now throw a spanner in the works by threatening to initiate legal action over De Jong's contract, with the Blaugrana allegedly finding proof of criminal activity in the extension he signed two years ago under Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Fred and Scott McTominay paired up in the middle for Man United as they kicked off their Premier League season with a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ben Knapton
