Transfer Rumour: Tottenham join Barcelona in Adrien Rabiot pursuit

Tottenham have reportedly joined the race to sign PSG contract rebel Adrien Rabiot, who is also a target for Barcelona, as well as several other suitors.

According to a report by Daily Mirror, Tottenham have joined the ever growing list of clubs that are in hot pursuit of Adrien Rabiot. PSG are resigned to losing the Frenchman, who has rejected numerous contract offers and is being tailed by Barcelona and a number of other suitors.

Rabiot’s future has become a subject of intense speculation, even though he has remained a key player for them at the start of the season, featuring in every game thus far. But, the 23-year-old is intent on running down his current contract before departing Parc des Princes next summer as a free agent.

As a result, the French international has become a hot property in the transfer market, with a number of clubs expressing an interest in signing him. But, Barcelona are reportedly the overwhelming favourites to sign Rabiot, who now has Tottenham as one of the suitors in his pursuit as well.

Barcelona, in fact, hold a long-standing interest in Rabiot, having monitored his progress for well over a year now. But, the Blaugrana have never quite been able to make a move for him, owing to their frosty relationship with PSG. Now though, with the player set to depart from the club on a Bosman deal, Barcelona are hoping to pounce on the opportunity.

At 23, Rabiot would be a long-term solution in midfield, who could replace the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal in the years to come. The Frenchman will also be a cheaper alternative to Paul Pogba, whose pursuit is complicated due to the financials involved. But, Barcelona now face stiff competition from Tottenham as well.

Tottenham’s interest in a player of Rabiot’s quality makes sense as well. The North Londoners are well stocked in the midfield department at the present moment. But, Mousa Dembele is in a similar situation as the 23-year-old, who could end up proving to be an ideal replacement for the Belgian.

Rabiot will be free to talk to his suitors at the turn of the year, and he is quickly inching towards making his exit from Parc des Princes. While Barcelona would fancy their chances of landing the player, they will also be wary of the threat posed by Tottenham, and will need to quickly wrap up a pre-agreement with the player.

For now, all that remains certain is that Rabiot will be ending his long association with PSG, most probably at the end of the season. It remains to be seen if Tottenham can usurp Barcelona in his pursuit, or if some other club altogether manages to prevail.