Liverpool, the prime Premier League contenders alongside Manchester City, had a quiet winter window as they opted not to make reinforcements after a busy summer. But various rumours have surfaced time and again and are still making the headlines even though it’s only February.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for Paris St-Germain midfield star Adrien Rabiot who has declined to extend his stay in the French capital. The player was keen on completing a summer switch to Barcelona upon expiration of his contract but failed to strike pre-contract terms with the Catalan club.
The La Liga giants have cooled down their interest on Rabiot after announcing a mega-money move for Dutch sensation Frenkie De Jong from Ajax for a £65m deal. Although reports from Sport claim a transfer could still be completed, the Frenchman is no longer a priority for the Cules who are well equipped in the middle of the park.
Rabiot has reportedly (as cited by the Liverpool Echo) parted ways with his mother and agent who promised to finalise a deal but failed to do so. The saga has worsened the player’s relationship with his boyhood club as they have exiled him from the first-team since late December.
Liverpool, meanwhile, insisted they are not after the midfielder irrespective of his status and willingness to join the Reds being his favourite football club as stated before. They have invested heavily on Fabinho and Naby Keita back in the summer, and the presence of skipper Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner and Adam Lallana have made the Reds composed and balanced enough in the centre of the pitch.
But a promotion to Premier League might see Leeds United making a swoop for James Milner, the home-grown sensation who was forced to part ways in his teenage days due to a financial breakdown. Adam Lallana has slipped down the pecking orders while spending his time in the sidelines amid repetitive injury woes and is now linked with a return to Southampton (as reported by the Daily Mirror) in the summer for assured game-time.
Liverpool, therefore, should consider changing their stance on Rabiot who would inject more mobility and creativity with his box-to-box movements. Naby Keita, though improved of late, is yet to justify his price-tag since completing a summer move from RB Leipzig. Rabiot’s presence would hand Jurgen Klopp a luxury to introduce more competition within the players and the flexibility to have a ball carrier to dominate the midfield game.
