Rabiot prefers Barcelona ahead of Premier League move

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Adrien Rabiot is out of contract with Juventus at the end of the season and would rather move to Barcelona than the Premier League, according to reports in Spain.

Barca came close to signing in Rabiot in 2018 when he was still at Paris Saint-Germain, but the deal fell through before the midfielder left for Juventus at the end of his contract the following year instead.

Rabiot was briefly in the Manchester City academy and has previously spoken of his desire to live and play in England once again, but a move to Barca could appeal to the Frenchman, who is currently preparing for Sunday's World Cup final

READ: Juventus open to Rabiot sale after Man Utd missed out in summer

"Rabiot would like to play for Barca even though he has big offers from the Premier League," report Spanish daily, Sport. "[But] the player will not make a final decision on his future until after the January market."

Rabiot's profile fits Barcelona's needs. Able to anchor the midfield as well as play further forward, who could help replace the outgoing Sergio Busquets whilst acting as an on-field example to young stars like Pedri and Gavi.

His off-field exploits, and those of his mother and agent Veronique, might not appeal to Barca to quite the same degree, however.

READ: Barcelona's best free transfers of all time

Dressing room balance?

PSG considered making a move for Rabiot but have decided against. He had an acrimonious departure and was suspended for a month following the club's Champions League departure to Manchester United, after which he like Patrice Evra's Instagram post celebrating the Red Devils' victory.

Veronique Rabiot once waited in the carpark outside PSG's training ground to confront then-manager Laurent Blanc, who had dropped her son for a game.

Rabiot has starred for France on their run to a second consecutive World Cup final - but he missed the last one having refused the call-up after initially only making Deschamps' standby list.