Liverpool are unlikely to rope in any first-team name this window, but they have one certain admirer who is hesitant of joining their league rivals despite a lucrative wage offer. We are talking about Adrien Rabiot of Paris St-Germain who has rejected an extension in his contract in order to welcome a fresh challenge in his career.
The decorated midfield star has been offered a €5m signing fee and €7.5m-a-year salary by Tottenham Hotspur shattering their strict wage structure and restriction according to a report from Paris United (as cited by popular outlet Get French Football News).
Spurs are in desperate need of reinforcements amidst multiple injury casualties and are apparently attempting to convince the Frenchman via his former teammates Serge Aurier and Lucas Moura. Rabiot has not ruled out the prospect of reuniting with them in North London, but at the same time, prefers a move to Liverpool – the club he has admired and supported through thick and thin.
The Reds, however, have not registered interest in the 23-year-old France international which must be a massive relief for Mauricio Pochettino. The Spurs boss did not strengthen his squad back in the summer but should look for reinforcements before Thursday’s deadline.
They have let Mousa Dembele join Chinese outfit Guangzhou R&F earlier this month but are yet to bring in his replacement. Victor Wanyama’s ever-growing injury concern is alarming for the Argentine whereas Moussa Sissoko and Dele Alli have their fitness woes as well due to the intense pressure of successive games. Spurs, therefore, have Harry Winks and Eric Dier as the only fit names available to feature in the middle of the park and should secure the signing of Rabiot this month to avoid any late slip-up.
Liverpool, too, have their own problems but are well equipped in midfield with skipper Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Fabinho, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Naby Keita all contesting for a starting role. Rabiot is not a defensive midfielder and prefers to operate in a box to box role while building up moves from the deep carrying the ball forward. He is not the best tackler of the ball but offers a great sense of positioning as well as intercepting attribute with his matured and composed display from a central role.
The player, however, would require time to get used to the pace of Premier League football and must improve his work rate to claim a place in Pochettino’s system. It is to be seen how Rabiot reacts to the new challenge if a deal gets materialised in due course.
