Barcelona and PSG entering final stages of Adrien Rabiot battle
Both clubs want to get the French midfielder to commit to them by January
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot remains a target for Barcelona along with Ajax's Frenkie de Jong. The French international has not reached an agreement over a new deal in Paris.
Rabiot wants to come to Barcelona and the coming days could be key in deciding his future.
With just over a month until January, negotiations between Rabiot, his agents and PSG seem to have intensified. On Jan.1, he will be free to talk to other clubs regarding a free transfer as he moves into the final six months of his contract.
Aware of that, PSG have put their cards on the table. After seeing previous offeres rejected, they now seem ready to make a definitive move. They want him to stay. Sources close to the French club say the current international break could prove vital in deciding the Rabiot Case.
PSG have offered three-year renewal, with an improved salary of around nine million euros plus bonuses per year. But that didn't convince Rabiot, who wants 10 million plus a renewal bonus.
The Ligue 1's wage bill is a tricky subject as they attempt to comply with UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules. But they want to reach an agreement with Rabiot.
President Nasser Al-Khelaiffi wants the new contract signed at all costs -- it's well known that PSG don't want to lose their central figures, esepcially one who has come through at the club and could be the poster boy for homegrown players.
RABIOT's MUM
It's an economic issue. Despite the fact Rabiot wants to come to Barcelona, his mother and agent, Veronique Rabiot, is fighting for the best financial offer. Aside from PSG and Barça, she has also spoke with Juventus and Inter, among others.
Rabiot, however, seems ready to try his luck with another club in a more demanding league. Barça, in Spain's La Liga, with Lionel Messi, is his preferred destination.
MEETING BARÇA
In this sense, everyone is waiting to see how meetings between Rabiot and PSG evolve. Barça also have a meeting planned with his representatives. In Barcelona, they feel the meeting, a face to face, could prove vite in convincing Rabiot theirs is the best offer.
The Catalan club know it won't be easy to satisfy his financial needs. They know PSG beat them in that regard. The fear is the French champions blow them out the water with an offer which can't be matches. Barça can't fight with PSG' economic power.
However, in France the speculation is that Barça will offer him 10 million euros annually -- which PSG would surely match. If the offers are the same, Rabiot would opt for Barcelona.
Jan. 1 is getting close. The moment of truth. Rabiot's future could soon be decided.
