PSG's Adrien Rabiot still a January option for Barça
The midfielder is out of contract next summer and it interesting many clubs
Adrien Rabiot was one of the names of the summer. It was a difficult transfer window for the France midfielder, who seemed ready to leave Paris Saint-Germain for a new challenge, but ended up staying in the French capital. Not necessarily of his own accord, but because of Nasser Al-Khelaïfi's refusal to sell. The PSG owner is known to be a tough negotiator. Every summer one of his players is linked with a move away (last year it was Marco Verratti) and, in the end, they stay.
However, this year things are different. Rabiot has a contract with PSG until next June, which suggests he could leave the club next summer, or even in January. Rabiot's able to negotiate with any club he wants in the winter and can walk away from the Ligue 1 champions for free in June. That could lead the club to accept a January bid, to at least make some money. If it gets to June, no one would have to negotiate with Al-Khelaïfi.
Rabiot's intention seemed to be to remain in Paris but the relationship between the player and the club has deteriorated. What is certain is that the 23-year-old is in a strong position to negotiate and, even though Al-Khelaïfi doesn't want to sell, the midfielder will have the last word. Rabiot is drawing interest from Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester City and Tottenham, among others
Meanwhile, his current coach, Thomas Tuchel, has spoken about his situation and the No,6 position, where many people would like to see him play. However, Tuchel is not one of them. The former Borussia Dortmund boss believes the player's mentality is too attacking. "He's a very curious player," he said. "He has an offensive mind and he likes to take risks."
For the German coach, the problem with Rabiot is not quality but mentality: "It's not about his talent: he could do it, no doubt, but it's not enough to just have the physical and technical ability to play as a No.6. You also have to think like a No.6." But Tuchel added that he has complete confidence in the midfielder even if he doesn't know what the future holds for him with Europe's biggest clubs circling.
