Adrien Rabiot’s future has finally been resolved after a summer of speculation and uncertainty. The French midfielder, who became a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired on June 30th, has reached an agreement to join Olympique Marseille.
Marseille officially announced on their website: “Olympique de Marseille announces that it has reached an agreement in principle with Adrien Rabiot for the arrival of the French national team midfielder. The player will sign with OM subject to the results of the medical examination.”
The 29-year-old is expected to sign a two-year contract with the French club. A deal was struck after satisfying the high demands of Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique, including a reported €10 million signing bonus. The official announcement is expected soon, pending the player’s medical examinations scheduled for tomorrow.
Marseille’s move for Rabiot was prompted by the need to find a midfielder in the free agent market. The club recently sold Jordan Veretout to Lyon and lost Ismael Bennacer to a severe injury, creating a void in their midfield that Rabiot is set to fill.
This development effectively ends any speculation about Rabiot joining AC Milan. The Italian club had been linked with the midfielder, especially after Bennacer’s injury, but Rabiot’s high salary demands of at least €7.5 million per season, coupled with substantial agent fees, made the deal unfeasible for Milan.
Rabiot had reportedly turned down offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, including Galatasaray, hoping for a move to a Premier League club like Arsenal, Newcastle, or Manchester United. Instead, he returns to Ligue 1, where he previously played for Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse.
For Rabiot, this move offers a chance to revitalize his career and potentially regain his place in the French national team, having been left out of recent squads by coach Didier Deschamps. The midfielder will now look to make an impact under Roberto De Zerbi’s management at Marseille.