Marseille signing initially hoped to join Arsenal or Manchester United | OneFootball

Adrien Rabiot wanted a summer move to the Premier League amid links to Arsenal, but he ended up deciding to join Olympique de Marseille.

France’s Adrien Rabiot leaves the pitch after being substituted by teammate Eduardo Camavinga during the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final football match between Spain and France at the Munich Football Arena in Munich on July 9, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

Romain Molina reports (via GFFN) that Adrien Rabiot had his heart set on a move to the Premier League this summer, amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.

But after Arsenal turned to Mikel Merino and Manchester United signed Manuel Ugarte, Rabiot was forced to look elsewhere.

The player wasn’t interested in moves to Saudi Arabia or Turkey, nor a return to Italy with AC Milan. In the end, he had to accept a significant wage cut to join Olympique de Marseille instead.

France’s Adrien Rabiot consoles William Saliba after the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final football match between Spain and France at the Munich Football Arena in Munich on July 9, 2024. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Rabiot has often been linked with Arsenal over the years, and it’s no real surprise that happened again this summer.

The midfielder had run down his deal with Juventus, so he was available as a free agent. He evidently would have liked a move to Arsenal, the Gunners just didn’t make an offer.

Rabiot delayed a decision on his future for a while, perhaps hoping that the Euros would raise his stock a little. Making five starts in six games as France reached the semi-finals probably didn’t hurt, but it didn’t get him the Premier League offer he wanted either.

Juventus’ French midfielder Adrien Rabiot reacts at the end of the Italian Cup semi-final second leg football match between Inter Milan and Juventus at the Giuseppe-Meazza (San Siro) stadium in Milan, on April 26, 2023. (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Instead, Rabiot’s performances with France ultimately got him a transfer back to his home country, where he formerly represented Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse. The 29-year-old will now be eyeing a debut against Lyon on Sunday.