West Ham United and Manchester United wanted to sign Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer.
That’s according to L’Equipe, who give an insight into West Ham and Manchester United’s failed efforts to secure the midfielder’s services.
Rabiot allowed his contract at Juventus to expire on June 30th. He was searching for a club for the past few months and agreed to join Marseille on Sunday.
The 29-year-old was keen on joining a club that can offer him European football. He held negotiations with Manchester United and Atlético Madrid. The report claims Erik ten Hag’s side offered him a four-year deal, which feels a questionable claim given his age.
L’Equipe state West Ham and Galatasaray then ‘tried to seduce’ the former Paris Saint-Germain man. He ended up picking Marseille because their advisor, Medhi Benatia, was more convincing. Roberto De Zerbi also supported him by making several calls to Rabiot.
After convincing the France international, the Ligue 1 side worked on the financial aspect of the operation. L’Equipe say Marseille made a firm effort, while Rabiot made an ‘even great effort’ to join them.
It does all feel like something of a PR piece for Adrien Rabiot and Marseille.
