Everyone enjoys a good freebie. The notion is prevalent in football and as we head into 2019, there are a few players who will be nearing the conclusion of their contracts and so available for a free transfer.
Naturally, the January window frenzy could see some shifted to enable their current clubs to claw back some cash back into their accounts. And one such example is Paris Saint-Germain’s talented midfielder Adrien Raiot.
PSG sporting director Antero Henrique claimed this week talks over an extension are not going well, with the French star now set to leave.
“Adrien Rabiot has told me that he will not sign a contract extension and that he wishes to leave the club at the end of the season, once his current deal finishes,” Henrique said. “The consequences are very clear: he is indefinitely benched.”
A top player is up for grabs, but where is the most appropriate destination for the 23-year-old?
LIVERPOOL
If you’ve been keeping an eye on Rabiot’s Instagram over the last few months, you’ll no doubt have come across his affection for Liverpool.
From idolising Kop icon Steven Gerrard to an appreciation of Anfield’s atmosphere, Rabiot has made no secret of his admiration the club. The only question is whether that is reciprocated.
Jurgen Klopp is well stocked in midfield and invested heavily into a key part of his squad with the acquisitions of Naby Keita and Fabinho last summer.
On a free transfer, Rabiot is obviously a smart move for anyone, but he wouldn’t be a permanent fixture at Liverpool.
Granted, James Milner is out of contract in 2019 and has been tipped with a return to Leeds should they get promoted into the Premier League. Adam Lallana will be 31 next season and is currently well short of what’s required for a side competing for top honours on multiple fronts, so those two could see Liverpool enter the midfield market.
Rabiot is a fabulous player and his skill set would attract, but the pull for him will be stronger elsewhere.
SUITABILITY: 6/10
Jurgen Klopp and James Milner
TOTTENHAM
There are genuine concerns about Rabiot’s attitude and that has led to some hesitation from other elite clubs in Europe.
His angry rejection of France’s standby list for the 2018 World Cup in retaliation to being omitted from the final 23-man squad gave a window into the type of personality clubs would be dealing with.
Add in the stormy negotiation process with PSG handled by Rabiot’s agent – his mother – and you have teams suitably unimpressed. Those sentiments, however, won’t bother Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino one jot. Indeed, the Argentine boss has already reformed Serge Aurier, who infamously ran into trouble while at PSG.
Rabiot is a classy No8, who can dominate in both attacking and defensive phases. He is a player Pochettino would want and he is a manager who needs numbers in midfield.
Finances are the issue. While Rabiot will be available on a free in the summer, he’ll be expecting a huge sign on bonus and his wages are likely to cripple the rigid structure Spurs employ.
With the financial black hole of their new stadium continuing to widen ahead of its delayed opening in February, Spurs are strangled in this regard. Convincing Rabiot to invest in the project rather than his bank account, would be the big test for Tottenham.
SUITABILITY: 7/10
Mauricio Pochettino
JUVENTUS
Juventus are included in this list because they have a proclivity for picking up ridiculously talented players on free transfers.
It’s actually ludicrous. Emre Can, Fernando Llorente, Kingsley Coman, Sami Khedira, Fabio Cannavaro, Dani Alves, Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo are a selection of the stunning pieces of business Juve have secured in recent years.
Rabiot is a name who would slot very nicely into that bracket. Having splurged an exponential amount of money on Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, the Bianconeri are unlikely to spend big again in 2019.
Sweetening their supporters with a signing like Rabiot will go far. However, the Frenchman could soon turn sour in Turin. Massimiliano Allegri is a manager who rotates his squad heavily.
True, Khedira and Blaise Matuidi are both 31 and so you could theoretically see Rabiot supplanting either one of those two. However, Rodrigo Bentancur (21), Can (24) and Miralem Pjanic (28) are extremely gifted players who you would class as being a level above Rabiot right now.
And it must be reminded that Juve have also been looking at Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, who is also available on a free transfer next summer. There’s competition wherever Rabiot looks.
SUITABILITY: 6.5/10
Emre Can
BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern are kind of in a similar position to Juventus in that they have a habit of picking up brilliant players on a free. The major difference here, though, is that Bayern really do not need any centre-midfielders and the wide areas are where they desperately require some investment.
Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are both in the final stages of their careers and while Serge Gnabry has shown signs of promise, his counterpart Coman has been riddled with ankle injuries.
Leon Goretzka is only just bedding into Bayern’s midfield and the 23-year-old is very much the present and future for Munich – and Germany. Add in Thiago Alcantara, Renato Sanches, Corentin Tolisso, Javi Martinez, even Joshua Kimmich, and Bayern are also loaded in the middle.
Bayern simply don’t need Rabiot, even for free.
SUITABILITY: 5.5/10
Bayern Munich’s midfielder Leon Goretzka
BARCELONA
Now we’re talking. There will be no mention of ‘Barca DNA’ or the name Xavi in this analysis, but when it comes to technically adroit No8s, masters of tempo and great passers of the ball, the Spanish giants will always be linked.
Rabiot is no different and he is a player they’ve wanted in the past. Indeed, part of the reason why Arturo Vidal is at the club right now is because they were unable to snare Rabiot from PSG last summer.
As the rumour goes, Barca switched their attention to Vidal as the Rabiot deal proved fraught and so naturally with him now available, you would expect the links to be even stronger.
According to Le Parisien, an agreement has already been reached and there is logic behind the move with Ivan Rakitic turning 31 in March. Rabiot is a natural successor, although his arrival would likely irk a few of the young midfielders already at Ernesto Valverde’s disposal.
Carles Alena would be suitably unimpressed, as too would Arthur. Barcelona have struggled with another precocious French star, Ousmane Dembele, so they may suffer the same fate with Rabiot.
However, it is likely the club will determine the free transfer too good to pass up and Rabiot a talent who can blossom at Camp Nou.
SUITABILITY: 8/10
