Rabiot pushed out by Milan just a year after arrival, Napoli lurking

AC Milan wants to part ways with Adrien Rabiot barely a year after signing him, according to Calcio Mercato. The Lombard club, forced to trim its wage bill after finishing fifth in Serie A and dropping into the Europa League, has set a price of €20 million for its French international midfielder.

Milan’s season unraveled in the final third of the campaign. Long in contention for the Ligue des Champions, the Rossoneri were overtaken by AS Roma and Como, slipping to a position that leaves them only the Europa League. The underperformance stings all the more given the club had made substantial investments in the previous summer transfer window.

Rabiot, 31, is among the adjustable variables identified by the board. Arriving from Marseille in a rush in summer 2025, he earns approximately €6.5 million annually — the highest salary in the dressing room, tied with Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku. His contract runs until 2028, which gives Milan negotiating leverage but also the obligation to find a buyer to ease the wage bill.

The asking price — €20 million — represents double what was spent to recruit him less than a year ago, when the former Paris academy product had become unwanted at Marseille.

The most serious lead points to Napoli. The reason is straightforward: Massimiliano Allegri, the manager who orchestrated his transfer to Milan, has just joined the Partenopei. Rabiot knows his methods well, and Allegri has trusted him since their years together at Juventus. The Kevin De Bruyne situation, whose future at Naples remains uncertain, could also open additional space in Napoli’s midfield.

Nothing is yet settled, but the convergence of interests — Milan selling, Allegri recruiting, a potentially available position — gives this lead rare substance early in the summer transfer window.