Key keywords: Adrien Rabiot, Napoli transfer news, AC Milan midfielder, 2024 summer transfer window, Serie A transfers, Rabiot contract renewal, Napoli midfield targets Napoli’s top sporting director has officially ruled out a potential summer move for AC Milan star midfielder Adrien Rabiot, putting an end to weeks of widespread transfer speculation linking the French international to the Serie A title contender. The announcement came during a press briefing ahead of the club’s pre-season training camp, where the director addressed ongoing rumors surrounding the club’s summer transfer priorities. Rabiot, 29, has emerged as one of the most sought-after free agents in the 2024 summer transfer window, with his current contract at AC Milan set to expire at the end of June 2024. The box-to-box midfielder has been a core part of Milan’s starting lineup this season, making 34 appearances across all competitions, registering 5 goals and 4 assists, and playing a key role in the club’s top-three finish in Serie A and run to the Europa League quarter-finals. Reports in recent weeks had claimed Napoli were leading the race for Rabiot’s signature, with sources alleging the club had already held preliminary talks with the player’s agent over a four-year deal worth €8 million per season plus performance-related bonuses. However, the Napoli director’s statement has completely dismissed those claims. “Adrien is an exceptional talent with proven experience at the top level of European football, but we have no plans to pursue a move for him this window,” the director told reporters. “Our midfield unit is already well-stocked with high-quality players including Stanislav Lobotka, Frank Anguissa and Piotr Zielinski, all of whom are under contract for at least the next two seasons. Our transfer priorities this summer lie in reinforcing our forward line following Victor Osimhen’s expected departure, and adding depth to our right-back position. Any reports linking us to Rabiot are entirely unfounded.” The ruling out is seen as a major development in Rabiot’s ongoing contract talks with AC Milan. The Rossoneri have been negotiating a new deal with the Frenchman for months, but discussions have stalled over wage demands: Rabiot is reportedly asking for a basic annual salary of €9 million, while Milan’s latest offer stands at €7.5 million plus add-ons. With Napoli now out of the race, and other potential suitors including Barcelona and Manchester United yet to table concrete offers, Rabiot is believed to be more likely to accept Milan’s renewed offer in the coming weeks to extend his stay at the San Siro.