According to the Guardian, Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal are set to battle it out to land Paris St Germain’s 19-year-old sensation, Adrien Rabiot, in the summer.
The French U-21 international has been a long term transfer target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has had sent scout Gilles Grimandi to track the youngster regularly this season.
The midfielder reportedly earns £5,000-a-week, but wants a significant pay rise to remain with the French giants, to the tune of £60,000 a week, a massive pay hike which Chelsea are willing to offer.
Despite his youth, and competition from Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi, Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta at the heart of PSG’s midfield, Rabiot has still managed 29 appearances this season.
While Wenger is desperate to land a long term replacement for Mikel Arteta in the summer, Jose Mourinho too wants a player with creative imagination in the middle of the park.
PSG manager Laurent Blanc has however expressed his desire to keep the teenager at Paris beyond the summer.
“I have a lot of esteem for that boy who has a big potential. During the first part of the season he proved he could expect more time in the team.” Blanc said,
“Unfortunately he picked up a knee injury in January and Yohan Cabaye joined the club, which was a needed reinforcement because we didn’t have enough midfielders. I can understand he is impatient. But he must not forget he belongs to a very big club and you have to be patient in life.”
“I hope he will stay at the club.”
What do you think? Is Rabiot destined for the Premier League? Let us know in the comments below…
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