Transfer News: Chelsea put their plans of signing Juventus star Adrien Rabiot on hold
According to transfer expert Rudy Galetti (h/t football.london), Chelsea are only considering a move for Juventus star Adrien Rabiot as a secondary choice.
The 26-year-old signed for the Old Lady in the summer of 2019 after spending nearly a decade at Paris Saint-Germain. He recently completed 100 appearances for the club and has scored six goals and provided five assists in that period. However, he will be out of contract in 18 months.
Chelsea are interested in signing him and have been in contact with his agent and mother, Veronique Rabiot. However, he is not the first option on their list and has been placed as a secondary choice.
AS Monaco ace Aurelien Tchouameni and West Ham United star Declan Rice are the primary transfer targets. Both midfielders are much younger than Rabiot, with Rice already possessing considerable Premier League experience.
Priorities sorted out
It is good that the West London club have a deep list of transfer targets. The depth in our midfield is a concern since the loan move for Saul Niguez has not worked out as expected. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has struggled to prove himself as an able deputy in recent weeks and a repeat of the same will leave the Blues with no other option but bring someone new in.
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are also out of contract in 2023, and the club is yet to tie them down to new deals. Thus, Mateo Kovacic remains the only long-term option already at the club.
Rabiot is a fine option and can provide depth. He has played in multiple leagues and has managed to be a regular at Juventus despite a change of managers in the last three years. However, Rice and Tchouameni might have a higher ceiling and have a better chance of making it big.
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The West Ham ace, in particular, is a Cobham academy graduate and is already captaining the East London club. Tchouameni also has his traits but might take some time to adjust to a new league and country. All viable options, but the final decision is likely to be made by Thomas Tuchel and Marina Granovskaia.