Everton are prepared to step up our advances to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in January, according to Sport Mediaset.
Rabiot is not thought to have settled into Maurizio Sarri’s plans in Turin since joining on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, and is being courted by Arsenal and the Toffees ahead of potential mid-season swoops.
Juventus Sporting Director Fabio Paratici is prepared to carefully examine any approach for the Frenchman this month, having not been satisfied with Rabiot’s performances on the rare occasions he has sported the Old Lady’s jersey.
The 24-year-old has started just five of Juve’s 17 Serie A fixtures as they look to clinch the Italian top-flight title for the ninth time in succession, and played for only 200 minutes as Sarri’s side topped their Champions League group.
Sarri has also not been convinced by the performances of former Liverpool man Emre Can this season, who is available for a January move should a side submit an offer of €10million (£8.4m) amid interest from PSG.
The German has been tipped as Juve’s preferred departure, should a midfielder look to leave the Allianz Stadium in the winter market, though Everton chiefs are said to be prepared to offer between €25m (£21.1m) and €30m (£25.4m) to secure Rabiot’s signature.
A figure in that region would present ‘excellent capital gain’ for Juve having only paid Rabiot a signing on bonus upon his arrival, with any fee raised expected to be used to offset the Old Lady’s confirmed £29.7m deal to sign Parma’s Dejan Kulusevski.
Would you sign Rabiot in January?
Yes
No
Sport Mediaset’s claim that the club are readying a bid for Rabiot comes just days after reports in France suggested we had contacted the 6-cap midfielder’s agent, and mother, Veronique Rabiot to discuss his availability.
They also noted that Rabiot is unsettled in Turin, having grown frustrated at his lack of playing time under Sarri, and had spoken with Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta over what role he could play in the Spaniard’s rebuild.
In other Everton news, the club are ‘closing in’ on signing a 6 ft 4 centre-back.