Le Parisien report this evening that PSG outcast and French international midfielder Adrien Rabiot remains convinced that he is joining FC Barcelona this summer on a free transfer.
The Frenchman has not had a good start to 2019, he was excluded from the PSG first team and banished to work exclusively with the reserves after turning down a myriad of contact extension proposals from Les Parisiens – then, in quick succession both his grand-mother and father passed away.
A source familiar with the goings-on at the club’s Camp des Loges training ground had the following to say on Rabiot’s state of mind: “Psychologically, he is showing a strength of character that is above what one might have expected.”
On the day of PSG’s match with Manchester United, with his colleagues all in England, he was seen leaving the Camp des Loges as one of the last of his cohort after a fitness session, recuperation session and lunch in the canteen.
He has not played professional football for two months now – as it currently stands, the Frenchman is not under illusions that he is highly unlikely to be playing for PSG again before the end of the season. He is remaining physically fit though, just in case…
In January, PSG boss Thomas Tuchel told the board that he wanted Rabiot to be reintegrated into the 1st team, but it was also his mechanism of forcing the board to attempt to do as much as they could to sign new midfield players. Since the end of the window, Tuchel has largely stopped making requests to re-integrate Rabiot.
Adrien Rabiot, according to the newspaper, sees himself very clearly as an FC Barcelona player from next summer onwards. In any case, that is what he has been telling those close to him over the last few weeks.
How could he be so sure? The 23-year-old already has a deal in principle with Barcelona: salary, bonuses and his standing in the team. On that last point, the French international will play as the left-sided central midfielder and replace 30-year-old Ivan Rakitic, who will be leaving in summer, according to the outlet.
Free to sign wherever he pleases without a transfer fee, Rabiot has not yet signed anything. That is at least what the player’s entourage is saying:
“When Adrien wants to hit the button, things will be sorted.”
Officially, there is “no agreement,” as FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu announced on the 6th February.
Mdarandaba
111
Since the day i saw him playing like Busquests , passing like Xavi and able to create space when under pressure ,I said well here is the boy.I was in love with him since he was 20. I was frustrated when Barcelona signed Vidal instead of him .Now that he is moving for free Barcelona should grab this chance. This guy will quickly adapt to our style of play for sure and Camp nou is the best place for him to mould his behavior like we seen with Luis Suarez.I can't wait to see Rabiot,De jong and Aurthur a midfield of young stars below 25
Henock11
68
Y’all remembered how it was for Paulinho then everyone realises that’s Paulinho was the best signing of that transfer window let give him a chance he help PSG DESTROYED us in 4:0 he controlled the midfield like it was nothing Iniesta, Rakitic, Busquete couldn’t do anything someone like this he deserves to be seen cuz I know if he goes to another club we gonna regret not signing him that is my opinion
joohnny10
60
Barcelona substitute bench is waiting for adrien rabiot😂😂
Fauzisma
57
Rabiot was the reason why Psg beat barca 4 last season he controlled the midfield well this man is good let's see what happen
IrishLad101
51
Barca are stacked with 6 world class midfielders why do they need Rabiot , know he’s a great player but he should go to a different team if he is going to transfer maybe to the serie a or La Liga and maybe to a different team in the French League 1. I don’t think the Premier League is the right place for him just yet but I do think he will be an absaloutly brilliant midfielder
NyosTV
51
rip, with valverde on his new contract he might be playing rabiot on centre striker 😂👌
Vipacdknot
40
if rabiot is coming for free to barca. how much will be his weekly wage. I guess a huge one.
Kartik-thereds
19
Rabiot is a good player but yet to reach his full potential. Barcelona has an abundance of talents in midfield at this moment and i am not sure accomodating him will be a good decision and let us not forget he will command huge personal fees along with agent fees since he is a free agent. Rakatic, Busquets, Arthur, Coutinho, Vidal, Rafinha and let us not forget we will be joined by Frankie who is a definite in starting XI. It sad to see how Board is treating Rakatic at this moment, Raka has recently desired to finish his career in Barcelona and he is still 30 and still has plenty to offer and forcing him out make no sense.😒 I personally feel we need a better defensive reinforcement and invest on a plan for successor of Messi.