Reports emerged this week that Liverpool are willing to include Naby Keita in a swap deal for Juventus man Adrien Rabiot – but Italian outlet CMW claim Juventus could request a different Reds star, in the form of Roberto Firmino.
Rabiot, 27, has emerged as a target for the Reds. The Telegraph reported that the Frenchman wants to move to the Premier League and rated at £17million, he would consider a transfer to any of England’s top-four sides.
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The Juventus ace enters the finals 12 months of his contract at Juventus on Thursday. Plenty of clubs are likely to be after him, and Liverpool were eyeing a straight-swap deal, involving Keita – who also sees his deal expire in 2023.
However, Juventus have other ideas. Instead of Keita, they might ask for Firmino instead – again, in the final year of his contract. The report says Keita and Rabiot are both worth £17million, but Firmino between £26million and £30million.
Juventus could request Liverpool star Firmino in Rabiot swap
The Old Lady are well-stocked in midfield. Arthur, Weston McKennie, Manuel Locatelli, Denis Zakaria, Federico Bernadeschi – as well as Rabiot. In truth, Juventus are open to Rabiot’s exit because of the amount of competition.
That, along with his expiring contract. So, instead of bringing in another midfielder in a swap for Rabiot – it makes sense to strengthen another position. Moise Kean and Alvaro Morata will leave, after loan deals.
Paulo Dybala is going on a free transfer. It leaves Juventus light up top and bringing in £180k-a-week (Spotrac) Firmino would solve that. Given Firmino is rated slightly higher in terms of cash, a player-plus-cash deal could be on the cards.
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