Liverpool ‘aren’t convinced’ that Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot is serious about a move to the Premier League.
The Reds are said to have been one of the clubs offered the chance to sign Rabiot on a free transfer. However, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, Liverpool aren’t sure the midfielder is being genuine.
“Rabiot is a big free agent in the summer. He’s not definitely leaving Juventus, he’s putting himself around. We’ve seen Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham enquire about him in the last 12 months. United had major talks with him in the summer,” Bailey told 90min’s Talking Transfers podcast.
“The Premier League clubs, they’re not completely, from what I hear, they’re not convinced he wants to play in England. His people are saying that he does, but there’s hesitancy from these English clubs thinking ‘do you really want to come over here?’ His people are saying he does, he’s one of the big Bosman frees this summer so it’s one to keep an eye on.”
As ever with Rabiot, there appears to be a little bit of a circus around him. We’ll soon find out whether or not he’ll follow through with a move to England.
Rabiot not what Liverpool are looking for
Rabiot seemingly goes against everything that Liverpool do in the transfer market. He’s almost twenty-eight, he’s a free signing on the back of an underwhelming spell at a big club and he’s on supposedly massive wages.
From a playing point of view, he doesn’t feel like a natural fit for Liverpool and is well-known for having a slightly difficult personality.
So, as far as Liverpool are concerned, there is virtually no appeal in a player like Rabiot. Yes, he would be a free transfer, but the Reds supposedly aren’t afraid of big transfer fees for the right players. What they are scared off by, is big wages. As a Bosman signing, Rabiot would surely expect to be wined and dined in that respect.
Why then, do Liverpool keep on being linked with his signing?
The 27-year-old showed during the World Cup that he still has a reasonable amount to offer a team. Rabiot was a consistent performer as France went all the way to the final. But he simply isn’t for Liverpool.
As things stand, the former PSG man will leave Juventus when his contract ends in the summer. But unless something goes wrong with other targets, we think there’s virtually no chance he ends up at Anfield.