Adrien Rabiot is closing in on a free transfer to Marseille ‘subject to the results of a medical’ from Juventus – as Lyon boss jokes he would ‘prefer it to happen a week later’ after their clash

France international Adrien Rabiot is on the verge of a return to Ligue 1 with Marseille.   

Rabiot has been a free agent since his contract with Serie A giants Juventus expired in the summer. 

Reports in July suggested that Manchester United were planning on holding talks with the midfielder but they eventually pulled out of the race to seal his signature.

The Frenchman is now closing in on a move to Marseille ‘subject to the results of a medical’ examination, as the Ligue 1 side confirmed in a statement on Sunday. 

Rabiot could make his debut when Marseille, who sit second in the table, travel to rivals Lyon on Sunday night. 

And Lyon boss Pierre Sage has joked that the timing of Rabiot’s return to Ligue 1 could have been better. 

‘I would have preferred if he had come into Ligue 1 one week later’, Sage said after his side’s stalemate with Lens. 

Rabiot has revealed he didn’t expect the move Marseille to advance beyond initial negotiations.  

‘At first it seemed unlikely, but after talking a lot with Medhi, we got reached an agreement,’ the 29-year-old said speaking to BFM. 

‘I also spoke with the coach. The project really spoke to me. A city that lives for football, it makes you want to play and win.’

Rabiot started five of France’s six games at Euro 2024, missing only the quarter-final win over Portugal through suspension.

The midfielder came through the PSG academy before going on to make 227 appearances for the side in all competitions.

He opted to move to Serie A with Juventus in 2019 and managed to get his hands on the league title at the end of his debut campaign.

Rabiot will become the latest addition to a squad at Marseille which includes Mason Greenwood, Neal Maupay and Emile Hojbjerg under new manager Roberto De Zerbi.