Juventus now accept it is ‘almost impossible’ to stop Adrien Rabiot leaving the Serie A side in 2023. He is out of contract and has Arsenal fighting Tottenham Hotspur over a transfer.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports the Bianconeri still hope it is not too late to agree to fresh terms with the midfielder. But club chiefs at the Allianz Stadium fear their chances of retaining the France star with his current deal in Turin due to expire on June 30.
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Sporting director Federico Cherubini has made informal contact with Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique, to discuss his future, however. They will now meet in the coming weeks for further preliminary talks over a new contract. Their summit also fuels Cherubini’s hope.
Juventus take encouragement from Veronique Rabiot agreeing to meet Cherubini over her son’s future and a potential new contract. The Bianconeri see the preliminary meeting as a starting point for further discussions with the midfielder’s entourage regarding a contract.
However, the finances involved in a new deal for the World Cup runner-up have proven to be an issue. Calciomercato.it recently reported that Rabiot is keen to see Juventus increase his €7m-a-year (£119k-a/w) salary, before including bonuses, to €10m-a-year (£170k-a/w).
Arsenal and Tottenham are pressing for the transfer of Juventus ace Rabiot
Calciomercato.it also noted that Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is desperate to retain Rabiot. But the Serie A giants would consider cashing in during January for €15-20m (£13-17.5m). The 27-year-old is a key player under Allegri with 16 appearances so far this term.
Rabiot made five of his appearances in the Champions League with two goals. But he could not stop Juventus from exiting in the group stage. Allegri’s team will now face FC Nantes in the knockout round play-offs. They could possibly get Arsenal in the Round of 16 in March.
Juventus will be loath to see Rabiot line up against them for Arsenal with the Gunners one of the clubs now interested in his transfer. TuttoMercatoWEB claims the Gunners are now ‘pressing’ for his signature but Tottenham are ‘moving decisively’ for Rabiot’s transfer, too.
Veronique Rabiot agreeing to meet Cherubini may now frustrate the Gunners and Spurs as they target a deal. But Juventus accepting it will be ‘almost impossible’ to keep Rabiot will offer Arsenal and Tottenham further encouragement that they can secure a transfer soon.
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