Arsenal in the picture to seal smart free transfer as player has ruled out another club

Arsenal are reportedly one of the clubs interested in the potential transfer of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot ahead of the summer.

The France international is set to be out of contract at Juve at the end of this season, and one imagines there’ll be a lot of interest in this experienced free agent.

According to Tutto Juve, as cited and translated by Sport Witness, Arsenal are alongside clubs like Newcastle, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid as potential suitors for Rabiot, who has also ruled out the prospect of moving back to his former club Paris Saint-Germain.

As quoted on Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing, Rabiot seemed to strongly suggest it wouldn’t be easy for him to return to PSG, even if he’s flattered by their apparent interest in bringing him back for a second spell at the Parc des Princes.

Rabiot transfer: Arsenal surprise suitors for Juventus midfielder

Rabiot may be a fine player, and one available on the cheap due to his contract situation, but it’s not clear if he’s really what Arsenal need right now.

While there are bargains out there, with Jorginho a recent example of a smart signing by the Gunners who wouldn’t necessarily have arrived with that much in the way of expectations on his shoulders, it now seems the north London giants probably need to be aiming higher.

Rabiot has experience at the highest level, but he’s never played in the Premier League and is a bit old now to be adjusting to a new country, new league and new teammates.

At this stage of their development, AFC would probably do better to push the boat out by spending big money on someone of the calibre of Douglas Luiz, Martin Zubimendi or Amadou Onana – players at, or approaching, their peak years, and ideally with Premier League experience, with the exception of Zubimendi.