Arsenal are on a shortlist of clubs in touch with Adrien Rabiot’s entourage over a summer transfer, according to reports in France.
Rabiot fell out with Paris Saint-Germain late last year over his desire to leave the club, and he hasn’t been included in their squad ever since.
Nonetheless, his contract comes to an end this summer and he’s drawing interest from around Europe.
According to L’Equipe, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are all interested in England.
Arsenal would seemingly be best-placed of the three, with Chelsea’s transfer ban set to be upheld and City already closing in on the signings of Rodri and Bruno Fernandes for their midfield.
Barcelona was initially the club that turned Rabiot’s head, but their interest has dropped off, whilst claims that Juventus met with the player’s agent appear to be false.
There’s ‘nothing concrete’ in Bayern Munich’s reported interested, according to GFFN, which leaves Real Madrid as the one major club that could realistically challenge Arsenal.
Unai Emery has a part to play, given he worked with Rabiot before at PSG.
He reportedly ‘appreciates’ the 24-year-old and he’s clearly driving the Arsenal move.
In Rabiot’s last season under Emery, he scored five goals and assisted seven in 50 appearances despite often playing deep in midfield.
The Spaniard really seemed to get the best out of the PSG man, so that could help convince Rabiot to link up with his former boss again.
Whether Arsenal can qualify for the Champions League is surely going to play a part though.
Let’s hope the Gunners can put themselves back on track for that by making the Europa League final on Thursday night.