Barcelona have reportedly revived their interest in Adrien Rabiot, with the 27-year-old impressing of late at Juventus under Massimiliano Allegri.
According to a report from Calciomercato.it, Juventus are considering handing a new contract to midfielder Adrien Rabiot in light of his improved performances recently. However, the French international is also attracting interest from La Liga giants Barcelona heading into the summer transfer window.
Rabiot burst into fame at Paris Saint-Germain, where he developed into one of the most promising midfielders across Europe. However, after failing to agree a new contract with Les Parisiens, he left the club in the summer of 2019, signing for Juventus on a Bosman deal.
The move to the Allianz Stadium has not worked out all too well for Rabiot, who has failed to hit the heights expected of him. The French international struggled under Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo in his first two seasons at Juventus, and he did not start all too well under current boss Massimiliano Allegri either.
However, of late, the 27-year-old has shown the form and the quality that had made him one of the most coveted midfielders a few years ago. So, while Juventus had been considering selling him not very long ago, they are now looking to extend his contract, which expires in 2023.
At the same time, though, Rabiot has popped back on the radars of Barcelona. The Catalans have been linked with the former PSG ace on and off for several years now, including in the summer of last year. But a move has not materialised until now. But with the Blaugrana rekindling their interest in the Frenchman, that could change.
Barcelona have no shortage of options in the middle of the park, with Pedri, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Nico Gonzalez and Gavi all playing important roles under Xavi Hernandez. In addition, La Masia graduate Riqui Puig is also someone that the manager can call upon, although the Spaniard has been linked with a summer exit due to his lack of game-time.
Even then, Barcelona are believed to have wrapped up the signing of Franck Kessie from AC Milan, with the Ivory Coast international expected to complete the move in the summer. So, there does not seem to be an immediate need for another central midfielder at Camp Nou unless they are looking at Rabiot as a potential long-term replacement for Busquets. However, he is a player of a different profile altogether.
The report states that Rabiot could be available for an affordable price in the summer if he does not sign a new contract with Juventus. Apart from Barcelona, there have also been admiring glances from the Premier League in the recent past. So, it remains to be seen if the 27-year-old continues his revival under Allegri in Italy or decides to take up a new challenge before next season.
