France are into the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which has now reaped extra benefits for their star midfielder Adrien Rabiot who reportedly wants a move to FC Barcelona....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Rabiot was on the verge of leaving Juventus this summer, with Manchester United negotiating a move for the midfielder. However, a potential deal collapsed in the final moments, with reports claiming the midfielder held out on his lucrative salary demands which United were not ready to give in to.
On the other hand, Barcelona have already been linked with a move for Rabiot a number of times, even during the aftermath of France’s 2018 World Cup triumph.
The player too had expressed his desire to play for the Catalans according to inside reports, but a move never happened. Rabiot’s behavioural issues too were touted as one of the reasons Barcelona abstained from making a concrete offer for him. However, the rumours and reports of the Camp Nou outfit returning for the midfielder are back, days before he plays the World Cup final against France.
Barcelona to focus on free agents across next two transfer windows
Rabiot’s collapsed move to Manchester United however paved the way for other Premier League sides in developing a interest in acquiring the World Cup winner’s services. While United are ready to give it another shot and try and land the midfielder in the upcoming January market, they are most likely to reach a pre-agreement with the 27-year-old who becomes a free agent in the summer of 2023.
Meanwhile, the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal too are lurking in and around the France international, whereas Newcastle United have also been significantly credited with an interest in the player.
Liverpool were expected to make a move as well, but the Reds are currently outlining long term solutions for their ageing midfield and England’s World Cup hero Jude Bellingham is said to be on the top their wish-list.
Chelsea too find themselves in a similar situation where two of their top midfielders in N’Golo Kante and Jorginho on the wrong side of their 30s and struggling to keep their fitness intact. Kante even missed the World Cup with France due to a knee injury which has marred his new season with the Blues.
He is now even expected to be released by Chelsea when his current deal expires next summer. Rabiot is being touted as his fellow countryman’s replacement at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea first want to have a go at Bellingham as well.
Barcelona find themselves in a difficult situation with their financial books, as they have been ever since Leo Messi left them last year. As a result, the Catalan club’s president Joan Laporta has already declared they will now look for free agents across the next two transfer windows, with a number of names already on their list. Rabiot is one of them who himself wants a move to Spain as well.
According to Diaro Sport, Rabiot’s current employers Juventus want to get rid of him and have already offered the midfielder to Barcelona.
However, Laporta and his staff have left the decision up to their manager Xavi, who will now decide on the former PSG star’s signing. Xavi has admitted that he needs new recruitments in a number of positions and a free agent like Rabiot would certainly be fancied by the Barca manager as he carves a way out to reclaim the club’s lost glory.
