Liverpool’s long-lasting interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Adrien Rabiot has been put to bed after the 23-year-old confirmed he would be moving to Spain to join Barcelona when his contract in France expires at the end of the season.
According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, as cited by the Mirror, the Catalan giants have been a long admirer of Rabiot, who came through the PSG ranks before establishing himself as a regular first-team player.
PSG have won all of their matches in Ligue 1 so far this season and already have a seven-point gap over second place Lyon, while their only defeat has come against Liverpool in the Champions League in September.
And while Rabiot has been a key figure in the team’s performances this season and their domestic success in recent years, a move to Barcelona looks set to happen once next summer’s transfer window opens.
Liverpool had been monitoring Rabiot for a possible move to Anfield before the new season started in August but rather settled for Naby Keita and Fabinho, but they didn’t give up on him just yet and were still considering him as a future option given his contract situation.
Thanks, FSG…
Rabiot could either be used as a possible replacement for Sergio Busquets or Arthur Melo in the Barcelona midfield, and could be just the player Ernesto Valverde needs to get his team back competing for the Champions League again.
Jurgen Klopp on the other-hand might have to wait and see how Liverpool’s season plays out with the new additions of Keita and Fabinho, before making conclusions as to if the Reds missed out on Rabiot.
The pair has shown glimpses of their capabilities but are yet to make a first-team spot their own.
The quality of Rabiot, however would make him a perfect fit for any top team in Europe nonetheless and will have form an important part of the Barcelona setup.
