Overview

• In summer 2022, Manchester United agreed a £15 million fee rising to £20 million with Juventus for Adrien Rabiot before talks collapsed over a clause reducing his salary if United failed to qualify for the Champions League.
• Veronique Rabiot described the provision as “over the top” and “disrespectful,” and she walked away from negotiations on principle rather than to demand more money.
• Manchester United routinely includes wage reduction clauses in all player contracts to mitigate revenue losses when the club misses out on Champions League qualification.
• After the failed transfer, Rabiot remained at Juventus for two more seasons and then joined Marseille on a free transfer in summer 2024.
• As of July 2025, no renewed discussions have taken place, and the disclosure has reignited scrutiny of the friction between club cost-control policies and high-profile players’ contractual demands.