The Paris Saint-Germain and Adrien Rabiot contract saga rages on with the Frenchman seemingly destined to leave the Parc des Princes.
Rabiot, 23, has struggled to hold down a starting berth in recent weeks under Thomas Tuchel, notably being dropped for crucial clashes against Marseille in Ligue 1 and against Liverpool in the penultimate Champions League Group C encounter.
As such, the France international – who will see his contract expire in the summer – has once again been embroiled in contractual conflicts with his parent club, which has, in turn, alerted some of Europe’s elite.
The tactically astute midfielder will have no shortage of potential suitors, such is his ability and aura of passing elegance. French outlet RMC Sport have already claimed Rabiot has called off talks with the Parisians and will part ways this summer.
It should be noted that Rabiot has previously opened the door on a move away from the club, but will the Saint-Maurice native finally leaving the comforts of his homeland for pastures new? Or will he remain with the French giants?
Dream: Barcelona
With memories of Andres Iniesta’s midfield mastery still discernibly fresh in the minds of Catalonians having only left in the summer, Ernesto Valverde will be determined to find an heir to his Camp Nou throne. Arthur has proven a shrewd acquisition thus far and has all the attributes of emulating the Blaugrana legend, but Rabiot would simply take the Barca midfield to another level, one perhaps reminiscent of that formidable trio of the past decade.
Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for Ajax midfield Frenkie de Jong but, having lost out to Jorginho in the summer, Manchester City are reportedly in hot pursuit of the Dutchman; as such, French publication Paris United have suggested PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently told sporting director Antero Henrique he is no longer negotiate with Rabiot after it emerged he had been told the club would be open to transferring him to Barca.
Rabiot’s midfield grace and passing artistry are the ultimate embodiment of the Barca philosophy; his balance and vision are indicative of his footballing ability and he could prove a priceless commodity in Catalonia should he land a move to the Spanish champions.
Realistic: Paris Saint-Germain
Rabiot is a big personality and has never shied away from making bold statements in order to make his points known: think back to his refusal to be on France’s standby squad list for the World Cup, or his public criticism of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. So this latest confrontation will come as no surprise to the PSG hierarchy, who were reportedly close to losing their mercurial marvel in 2015, though he signed a long-term deal and fought for a place in the starting XI.
Well, that tug-of-war match has resurfaced, and his agent – also his mother Veronique – has been reportedly unsettling the Parisians, who could be swayed to part company with their midfield maestro for a reduced figure in January.
Having said that, it is often the case that intensified rumours and media speculation are used in the modern game as clever ploys to encourage a player’s parent club to offer a more lucrative salary for fear of losing top talent. It would, therefore, come as no surprise should Rabiot remain where he is as has been is the past.
Wildcard: Arsenal
Unai Emery has so far revolutionised a once stagnant Arsenal and with Aaron Ramsey set to leave north London this summer after the two parties hit sufficient stumbling blocks in contract negotiations, the Spanish tactician could be tempted to enquire about Rabiot.
His profile is closer to that of Granit Xhaka, but should the Frenchman join the Gunners he would fill some of the void set to be left by Ramsey while offering Emery competition for the Swiss midfielder and balance in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield; the prospect of a Lucas Torreira-Rabiot midfield duo is a mouthwatering prospect for Gunners fans.
That creator-destroyer partnership would certainly flourish under the stewardship of Emery, and it would also offer direct competition for Xhaka, who remains a polarising figure in north London despite a fine start to the season. Ian Wright recently expressed his concerns over the former Borussia Monchengladbach star and suggested Arsenal should show some “muscle” in the transfer market to sign a new midfielder.
Squawka suggests: Real Madrid
Los Blancos have endured a tortuous four months and will need substantial investment both in January and at the end of the season, such is their current state of turmoil: Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure has hit them hard, Gareth Bale is currently suffering the worst La Liga drought of his Real career, and Isco’s future remains uncertain.
It is, in fact, the final point that would make Rabiot the ideal candidate in the Spanish capital; with Isco at loggerheads with newly-appointed Santiago Solari, the Andalusian looks as though he could leave the European champions in the summer as there is currently no place for him in the starting XI. Meanwhile, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos don’t look their usual world-beater selves.
And so, step up Rabiot, a different kind of player, one more in the No.8 mould, and potentially one who could reinvigorate a midfield struggling to replicate the former brilliance of those halcyon days of Zinedine Zidane’s tenure.
The post Dream, realistic, wildcard, Squawka suggests: Who will Adrien Rabiot sign with next? appeared first on Squawka News.
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