Adrien Rabiot is approaching the end of his Juventus contract and rumours have been rife that he was set to move on with the Premier League a likely destination. Newcastle United were heavily linked last year.
Tottenham and Arsenal were also said to be keeping tabs on the French international as he appeared to be nearing the exit door at the Italian giants.
It now seems as though The Old Lady are confident they can talk the ‘excellent‘ World Cup star to stay in Turin according to Eurosport, via TuttoJuve.
Rabiot was spectacular in the World Cup for France
Rabiot‘s form for Juve has given him a lifeline at the club after scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 33 appearances in all competitions. It’s believed his wage demands are likely to be met by the club in order to keep him beyond this season.
Meanwhile Newcastle, Spurs and Arsenal will be watching on with interest having all been linked with a move for Rabiot.
Newcastle’s interest was rumoured before his revival at the World Cup where he showed his true class for France. Those performances saw Newcastle slip down the pecking order with The Chronicle suggesting that Tottenham were his most likely destination in January.
Rabiot ultimately didn’t move in the winter transfer window and now looks likely to stay put once again.
Juventus are still on for Champions League qualification
Juventus have famously been in hot water again this season, receiving a 15 point deduction for ‘irregularities with transfer dealings’, but still find themselves just seven points away from the Champions League qualification places in Serie A.
There’s also a hope that they will overturn the points deduction decision which would see them leap up to second place behind runaway league leaders, Napoli.
If Juventus were to qualify for the Champions League that will almost guarantee they can keep hold of Rabiot as he’d be less likely to want a move elsewhere.
Whether Newcastle’s interest still remains is uncertain, but I’d venture that we have more realistic targets in mind, particularly James Maddison.