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A host of Premier League giants are set to battle it out for France star Adrien Rabiot.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Tottenham are favourites to sign the 27-year-old while Liverpool and Chelsea also interested.
Another Italian publication, Repubblica, however, reports that Arsenal are firmly in the mix.
The Gunners and manager Mikel Arteta are pushing to sign the Juventus midfielder in January in a bid to strengthen their push towards the Premier League title.
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Rabiot is off-contract at the end of 2023 so Juventus could be motivated to sell to avoid him walking for free. It is understood he is unlikely to sign an extension with the Italian giants who are reportedly looking for a transfer fee of around £10milion ($18 million AUD)
Should Rabiot head to Spurs it would be a remarkable turnaround given he snubbed the London side four years ago.
At PSG at the time, Rabiot shunned advances from Spurs, declaring he had no desire to join the club and even claimed they were “below” his level.
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FRENCH GIANTS WANT UNITED STAR
PSG are reportedly targeting Manchester United star Fred in the January transfer window.
The Sun reports the French giants are not deterred by the recent contract extension signed by the Brazilian and want him to bolster their midfield.
According to the report, United would only entertain offers in excess of …
It is understood United boss Erik ten Hag is an admirer of the 29-year-old, who triggered a 12-month extension only this week.
By locking him down for a further year United has ensured a sizeable transfer fee for Fred, something that is not expected to be a barrier for PSG.
Fred’s extension followed similar contract triggers for Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot.
LIVERPOOL URGED TO COUGH UP
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged his former club to spend big in the January transfer window if they want to keep up with Premier League rivals.
“There is no doubt that Jurgen Klopp has told Liverpool’s owners ‘I need £200m-£250m to spend in the summer’,” he said on Sky Sports.
“That sounds like an outrageous figure, but that is what Man Utd and Chelsea spent last summer. These are the figures that Liverpool’s rivals are spending.
“I think probably once in Klopp’s tenure, Liverpool have really gone for it in the transfer market.
“I think it was after the first Champions League final they bought a lot of players. “I think it needs that that now. I don’t think FSG (Liverpool owners) have those funds right now and I think that’s why they are looking for investment to come in and help them.”
ARTETA EYES REINFORCEMENTS
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said the “significant injury” suffered by Gabriel Jesus will bolster the Gunners’ efforts in the January transfer window.
Arsenal’s marquee pre-season signing was sent home early from the World Cup with a knee problem sustained in Brazil’s shock defeat by Cameroon.
Jesus underwent surgery and Arteta, while uncertain of when he will return, said Thursday his injury was severe enough to prompt the current Premier League leaders to look for a new signing next month.
“I never gave a date. I said that we don’t know. It’s going to take some time for sure,” Arteta said of Jesus.
“He’s gone through surgery and that tells you the extent of the injury, so we will be in the market and we will assess the biggest opportunities that we have.
“We are going to be active and active means we are looking to strengthen the team.” “This squad still doesn’t have the luxury of not maximising every single window. We have to do that because it’s really important but then we have to get the right profile. It has to be the right player to take us to the next level.” Following the break for the World Cup, Arsenal return to English top-flight action on December 26 at home to London rivals West Ham with the Gunners five points clear of reigning champions Manchester City.
Argentina’s third goal QUESTIONED | 00:30
Jesus has been a central figure in their Premier League progress since his arrival from Manchester City with five goals and six assists, even though he has not scored in his last 10 club games.
“Obviously a huge blow with Gabriel Jesus and his injury,” Arteta added on Thursday.
“We’ll miss him for a period of time. The season has challenges, that’s a challenge we have to overcome, but if you’re going to be at the top there’s going to be those challenges.” While Jesus faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines, the majority of Arsenal’s World Cup players are set to be involved against the Hammers.
William Saliba will return to training on Friday and Arteta will make a late call on the French centre-back but Emile Smith Rowe (groin) and Reiss Nelson (muscle) have both been ruled out.
“Some (World Cup players) came home earlier than expected and they were buzzing to be back and part of it,” said Arteta.
“I feel a really good energy around the place. They have got straight away into the rhythm and what we want.
