Gossip: Spurs make Rabiot move, Man Utd rival Chelsea for midfielder

Ian Watson
Adrien Rabiot Paris Saint-Germain

SPURS EYE RABIOT DEAL
Better late than never, but Tottenham are finally ready to make a move in the transfer market. And it’s a ballsy one…

Apparently, Adrien Rabiot is Mauricio Pochettino’s target. The France midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and his refusal to commit to a new deal is grinding PSG’s gears. The Sun reckons Spurs will make a £20million offer this week before Thursday’s deadline.

Rabiot has been linked with Europe’s biggest hitters, with Manchester City and Liverpool both said to have had an interest in the 23-year-old. Barcelona have been favourites, with the Catalans keen to secure the midfielder as a free agent. But PSG would rather sell this month than lose an asset for nothing at the end of the season.

There’s a lot to unpack in this particular story. Apparently, PSG will only sell if they can sign a replacement, and Idrissa Gueye is their top target. No bid has yet been submitted to Everton, but the Ligue 1 side will make a £22million offer in the coming days.

That will also have an impact on Arsenal’s pursuit of Christopher Nkunku. The PSG youngster is Arsenal’s Plan B if Barcelona don’t soften their stance over Denis Suarez, while reports in Spain suggest Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals is also a target for the Gunners.

 

MAN UTD REIVAL CHELSEA FOR CAGLIARI MIDFIELDER
PSG are also in the hunt for Leandro Paredes, with a £35million deal said to have been agreed with Zenit for the midfielder. That leaves Cagliari’s Nicolo Barella as Chelsea’s most likely replacement for Cesc Fabregas, but reports this weekend suggest they have competition for him too.

Gazzetta Dello Sport reckon Manchester United are now sniffing around the box-to-boxer, who is rated at around £50million. Inter are also interested but they would prefer a part-exchange deal, while Cagliari would rather take cold, hard cash.

 

AND THE REST
Charlie Austin will leave Southampton this month with Wolves and Aston Villa interested… Leicester are showing “considerable interest” in Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans… Arsenal and West Ham are interested in Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals… Club America are keen on Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic… AC Milan want Dalian Yifang winger Yannick Carrasco.