CHELSEA are reportedly battling Barcelona for the signing of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the summer.
The 26-year-old has played 41 times this season, but it is understood that boss Andrea Pirlo has deemed him surplus to requirements.
And with the France international having two years left to run on his contract in Turin, Juve are willing to cash in on the player.
According to Calciomercato, the Serie A giants would listen to offers in the region of £17million for Rabiot – who they signed on a free transfer in 2019.
They claim that both the Blues and the Blaugrana are eyeing up a swoop at the end of the season.
It has been stated that Barcelona are leading the race to secure Rabiot’s services with his agent and mother Veronique already making contact with the Spanish side.
Should Rabiot decide to make the move to Stamford Bridge, he would link up with former gaffer Thomas Tuchel who managed him at Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea see him as the perfect partner for N’Golo Kante in the middle of the pitch.
And Rabiot is known to be a huge admirer of his French compatriot after he lauded the ex-Leicester man during the most recent international break.
He said: “He never stops running. It’s easy to play alongside him.”
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Juventus are believed to be keen to offload the ex-Manchester City youth star due to a number of disappointing displays this campaign.
Manchester United are another club that have been heavily linked with a potential deal to sign Rabiot.
Reports have suggested that a swap could happen between Juve and the Old Lady for Rabiot and Donny van de Beek.
Meanwhile there has been speculation that Alex Telles could be heading to Italy with Rabiot coming to England in the opposite direction.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
