Newcastle United have signed two free agents this summer.
Indeed, both Lloyd Kelly and John Ruddy have arrived from Bournemouth and Birmingham respectively to bolster Eddie Howe’s options, albeit it seems the latter is hugely unlikely to play for Newcastle’s first-team.
Still, free agents have obviously been on the agenda this summer. Tosin Adarabioyo, after all, was another target upon the expiration of his contract at Fulham but ultimately joined Chelsea instead.
With Howe confirming he’s still unsure of his transfer budget, moving for players who do not require a transfer fee does make financial sense, even if Newcastle did eventually bring in more money than they needed to in order to comply with the Premier League’s PSR rules.
One of the more eye-catching names on that front is Adrien Rabiot.
The French international, hailed as “extraordinary” by former Les Bleus hero David Trezeguet, will be leaving Juventus on a free this summer and has been linked with Newcastle for a while.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update.
Adrien Rabiot dreams of the Premier League amid links with a move to Newcastle
Romano claimed on social media platform X that the 29-year-old is dreaming of playing in the Premier League and is waiting for an offer despite proposals from teams in other countries.
Newcastle should avoid Adrien Rabiot this summer
The midfield is not an issue for Newcastle as things stand.
Sandro Tonali will return reasonably soon, while Joelinton is over his fairly long-term injury.
To throw presumably high wages at Rabiot – who is approaching 30, no less – hardly seems like the best use of funds.
Rabiot has a huge amount of experience but it’s not a position that requires particularly pressing action this summer.
Signing players on big contracts for the sake of it goes against the measured transfer planning PIF have so far been praised for.
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