Italian media have criticised Adrien Rabiot for his drop off after Juventus drew 1-1 with FC Nantes in the Europa League. He is also a transfer target of Arsenal and Newcastle United.
Dusan Vlahovic (13’) handed the Bianconeri an early lead in the first leg of their knockout round play-off on Thursday. But Ludovic Blas (60’) replied after the break to restore parity ahead of next week’s reverse game. The Ligue 1 side took advantage of their host’s issues.
Juventus were the stronger side over the first period at the Allianz Stadium as they began their Europa League campaign. The Bianconeri fell into UEFA’s secondary club competition after finishing third in their Champions League group. They are now among the favourites.
Massimiliano Allegri only oversaw one win in six Champions League games to finish third in Group H. And the Serie A side’s disappointing season continued on Thursday as Blas fired in Nantes’ equaliser. Federico Chiesa had just gone close to doubling Juventus’ advantage.
But Nantes rallied after the break as the Ligue 1 strugglers found a foothold at Juventus. La Maison Jaune arrived in Turin sitting 13th in the French top-flight. But Antoine Kombouare oversaw a spirited response to falling behind as Allegri’s squad regressed after the interval.
Italian media slam Arsenal and Newcastle transfer target Adrien Rabiot of Juventus
Allegri gave Rabiot his 25th appearance of the season in all competitions as Juventus faced Nantes in the Europa League. But the 27-year-old’s role in the Bianconeri’s regression left some Italian media outlets displeased. He had produced a stirring first period on Thursday.
“A first half like a Duke,” TuttoMercatoWEB wrote of Rabiot’s display. “One of those that it will be a pity – perhaps – not to see for a long time in Italy. Master of the midfield, even when you can’t see it. Then in the second half, it drops dramatically and then Nantes rises.”
Rabiot may move away from Serie A this summer as his contract with Juventus expires this June to the interest of Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Newcastle in his free transfer. Calciomercato cites the teams as having already tested the waters to bring him to England.
A move to the Premier League is the most likely avenue Rabiot would explore in the event he leaves Turin. But Juventus remain in talks with his agent and mother, Veronique, over a new contract. Yet he wants €10m-a-year (£171k-a/w) and they offer €7m-a/y (£120k-a/w).
Rabiot is not in a hurry to decide his future and will wait until the summer to either accept a new contract at Juventus, or to explore a transfer with Arsenal and Newcastle already in talks. He has been in Italy since quitting Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent back in 2019.
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