Premier League side Everton are reportedly set to battle Arsenal and Tottenham for the signature of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the January transfer window.
Since joining Maurizio Sarri’s side last season from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, Rabiot has struggled to hold down a place in the team and has endured a torrid time with the Serie A champions due to injuries and a lack of form. The Frenchman has started just five league games this season as a result of competition in central midfield at the club. He is competing for a spot in Juventus midfield with Aaron Ramsey, Blaise Matuidi, Sami Khedira, Rodrigo Bentancur, Miralem Pjanic, and Emre Can.
Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) has claimed that the three Premier League sides are interested in the 24-year-old, although it is Everton who are most keen of the trio. The report added that Carlo Ancelotti’s side would be willing to pay for a loan deal of around €5m until the end of the season to cover the player’s wages and take up an option to buy in the summer. Everton have been in need of cover in central midfield after seeing Andre Gomes ruled out for the rest of the campaign through injury.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has identified Rabiot as a target in January in order to solve the club’s creativity problem and the Spaniard is hopeful that Juventus would allow him to leave the Allianz Stadium on a temporary basis. Rabiot is capable of operating as both a playmaker and a defensive midfielder and Arteta seemingly sees Rabiot as an ideal solution for his side’s midfield woes. Also, Tottenham have targeted the Frenchman following an injury to national teammate Mousa Sissoko.
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Juventus’ chief football officer Fabio Paratici had earlier said that French midfielder would not be sold during the January transfer window, despite media speculation linking him to Manchester United and Arsenal.
Paratici said: “Rabiot arrived here after not playing for eight months. It’s only natural on a physical level he should take time to adapt. He paid the price for that, but he has done well when used.
“We are confident, he is an important player and a guarantee for Juve, not a question mark or a doubt. We have an important squad, with a lot of competition for places, and that’s how it should be at this level.”
