Liverpool have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who is also the subject of interest from Barcelona
According to a report by Football Italia, Liverpool no longer hold an interest in signing Adrien Rabiot on a Bosman deal next summer. The Premier League heavyweights have turned their attention elsewhere, leaving Barcelona as the favourites to secure the services of the PSG midfielder.
Adrien Rabiot is a name that hasn’t been too far away from controversy in the last few months. The 23-year-old first pulled his name out of the standby list for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after being snubbed by Didier Deschamps for the final 23-man squad, and has since been embroiled in a contract standoff with PSG.
In the final year of his contract with the French champions, the player has refused to commit his future to the club, and has even rejected a new deal from Les Parisiens. His uncertain position at Parc des Princes, has piqued the interest of several big name clubs, the most prominent of which has come from Barcelona and PSG.
Barcelona hold a long-standing interest in the French international, having following his progress for quite a while now. The Blaugrana also seem to be determined to sign another midfielder despite only adding the services of Arthur and Arturo Vidal this past summer.
But, Barcelona’s eagerness to add to their midfield arsenal perhaps point towards creating a long-term solution in the middle of the park, which includes Arthur, Philippe Coutinho and another player who is getting closer to his peak. The Spanish champions though, have had to be wary of late, owing to the interest from Liverpool in Rabiot.
The Reds’ pursuit of the 23-year-old does not make a great deal of sense, considering they have added Fabinho and Naby Keita to a midfield unit that also contains Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who will return to action next season.
Nevertheless, widespread reports seemed to be claiming that Liverpool were determined to tie Rabiot down to a Naby Keita-like deal in January to bypass other suitors, having also initiated talks with his agent. But, Barcelona have now received a major boost in their bid to sign Rabiot, with Liverpool pulling out of the race to sign him and turning their attention elsewhere.
Barcelona might still look to launch the offensive for Paul Pogba. But, in Rabiot, they will always have a cheaper alternative, although the likes of Juventus and AC Milan will look to provide them competition. For now though, the Blaugrana appear to be the favourites to sign Rabiot, with Liverpool ceding their interest in him.
