Real Madrid are reportedly considering making a swoop for PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot, whose contract is set to run out at the end of the season.
As per a report from Spanish publication AS, Real Madrid have entered the race to sign French midfielder Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer, when his deal with current club Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the season.
Rabiot has been with PSG since 2010 and has gone on to make 227 appearances for the Ligue 1 champions, since making his debut in 2012. The 23-year-old has scored 24 goals and assisted 17 more, on his way to winning five Ligue 1 titles, along with numerous other domestic honours.
However, the midfielder hasn’t taken the field for Thomas Tuchel’s side since December, after he failed to agree a new contract with the club. Rabiot has also been suspended by the club and is facing further disciplinary actions, after he was pictured partying post PSG’s UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United.
An exit from Paris once his current deal runs out is certain for Rabiot and the possibility of signing a young and talented midfielder on a free transfer has put a number of clubs across Europe on high alert. La Liga champions Barcelona were heavily linked, but having snapped up Frenkie de Jong, the Catalans are unlikely to pursue the Frenchman.
There has been a lot of interest in the 23-year-old Rabiot from English shores, with Premier League clubs Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all credited with an interest in the midfielder. Most recently, Manchester United too have also been reported to be considering a summer swoop for the French international.
Now, Real Madrid have thrown their hat in the rings and intend to snap up Rabiot on a Bosman transfer ahead of the next season. The Merengues have a packed midfield department with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Casemiro, Marcos Llorente and Isco, while Mateo Kovacic will also be returning after his loan spell at Chelsea.
However, Modric will 34 years of age by the time the next season takes off while Kroos has under-performed this season. Real Madrid would want to infuse some fresh blood into the team and have been linked with Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba as well, but Rabiot would present a much cheaper alternative to Los Blancos.
Manager Zinedine Zidane is believed to be an admirer of Rabiot’s quality and technical abilities and had wanted to sign him last summer as well before he decided to leave the club, as per the report. However, now that an opportunity has presented itself, the French tactician is keen on bringing in his compatriot to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The report further goes on to add that as per sources close to PSG, Real Madrid have already reached an agreement with Rabiot for a summer transfer. It remains to be seen if there is any truth to these claims, but if Los Blancos do sign up the 23-year-old, it will go down as one of the best bargains of the summer window.
