Adrien Rabiot has admitted the “Premier League attracts me” amid links with a move to Newcastle United.
What’s the latest Newcastle United transfer news?
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Newcastle are closely monitoring the French international’s situation at Juventus.
With the Serie A giants currently enduring some off-field drama, Newcastle could make a move to sign the midfielder in a cut-price deal. Out of contract in the summer, Juve would reportedly be willing to sell him for around £17m in January as they bid to raise funds.
The 27-year-old is currently away on international duty with France at the World Cup and will almost certainly start against England in Saturday’s huge quarter-final and, clearly, it’s unlikely anything in regards to his future at club level will happen until the tournament is over.
Still, Rabiot – who started his career at Manchester City – will be able to talk to foreign clubs in January and TuttoMercatoWeb (via Newcastle World) recently suggested Newcastle had made a substantial offer.
What has Rabiot said about his future?
Speaking ahead of France’s meeting with England, Rabiot said (via Fabrizio Romano): “Premier League attracts me. I’ve always said I’d like to play there — will it be at the end of my contract at Juve? I don’t know.
“I don’t have favorite team in England, no team where I’d necessarily like to play”.
Should Newcastle sign Rabiot?
While a midfielder is believed to be on Newcastle’s list of priorities, it’s difficult to see Rabiot fitting the bill for Eddie Howe.
Though clearly a talented player given his career thus far, there have been frequent criticisms of his attitude, which would hardly fit the profile of signing the club have tended to make during the post-takeover era.
Reportedly on wages of around £113k-per-week and surely looking for a pay rise if he’s not accepting new terms with Juve, quite why Newcastle would suddenly make a player with question marks hanging over him their highest-paid star is unclear.
