AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has firmly rejected any potential offers for midfielder Adrien Rabiot, including reported interest from Napoli, according to reports from Italy. The future of the French international will not be decided until after his involvement in the ongoing international tournament, but Cardinale has made it clear he does not want to be pressured into a sale.
Rabiot was absent from Milan’s training camp on Tuesday morning due to his commitments with the French national team. Discussions regarding his long-term future will commence later this month, but the club’s position is resolute. While Rabiot may consider a departure, or another club may make a substantial bid, Cardinale intends to hold firm. Milan are also considering the futures of other midfielders, including Ricci and Loftus-Cheek, and potentially exploring a move for Modric, but Rabiot remains a key component of the squad.
The club’s stance comes despite missing out on Champions League qualification last season, a result that saw them fall short on the final day against Cagliari. However, Cardinale views Rabiot as a consistently high performer – scoring 6 goals and providing 5 assists in 29 Serie A appearances last season – and believes he will be crucial under new manager Paulo Amorim. The player himself is currently focused on his international duties and will take a holiday following the conclusion of the tournament.
Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique, met with the player in Boston on Monday while the French team had a day off. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss potential options, mirroring a similar conversation held last year when Napoli first expressed interest. Currently, however, Rabiot does not appear inclined to force a move, as he is under contract with Milan until 2028. Napoli’s potential interest is contingent on the sale of André-Frank Anguissa, but even then, Milan remain unwilling to negotiate. Amorim is particularly keen to retain Rabiot, viewing him as a key player in his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, positioning him as a more defensive-minded midfielder. Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri, who previously coached Rabiot at both Juventus and Milan, is also reportedly interested in bringing the player to Naples, but Cardinale is unlikely to facilitate the move.
