Premier League side Arsenal have reportedly begun discussions with Juventus over the transfer of their midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
The Frenchman moved to the Italian club in the 2019 summer transfer window, but having made limited first-team appearances this season, he looks set to leave the club when the transfer window reopens.
As per Le10 Sport (via InsideFutbol), Rabiot is being pursued by Arsenal as well as Everton. The 25-year-old midfielder could be sold by Juve for above €30 million in the summer transfer window.
The Frenchman moved to the Italian giants on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, but has started just 11 Serie A games and 6 substitute appearances so far this season.
Rabiot’s current deal with the Old Lady expires only in 2023.
Adrien Rabiot – Who will he replace in the Arsenal lineup?
Arsenal are currently undergoing a rebuild under manager Mikel Arteta, and the Gunners need to sign a few key players in several positions.
Central midfield is one area that they will need to strengthen, and sign someone with creativity, defensive discipline, as well as energy. Rabiot could be a very good addition for the Gunners as he possesses the aforesaid abilities.
The Frenchman is physically cut out to thrive in the Premier League, and is very good in the air and can dominate in midfield. Rabiot has tons of energy, be it defensively or offensively, and that is something Arsenal need in their current midfield set-up.
A strong tackler, Rabiot averaged 1.5 tackles per game in Serie A for Juventus. The 6’2″ midfielder has a presence about him, and he is a feisty character and leader in the middle of the park.
Rabiot is also a neat passer, who can keep the ball moving in midfield, and rarely gives the ball away. In the 2019-20 season, Arsenal’s two deep-lying midfielders were Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka, with Mattéo Guendouzi and on-loan midfielder Dani Ceballos, being the other options.
If Rabiot signs with the Gunners, he will partner with either Torreira or Xhaka. It is the latter who could miss out in the Gunners starting XI. Xhaka had his very public feud with the Gunners fans, while he is also rash and unpredictable in the middle of the park.
A midfield of Torreira and Rabiot would give the team more balance, with the right foot-left foot combo, and with both midfielders aggressive and energetic, it would finally add some teeth to the north London club’s midfield.
