Arsenal’s Pursuit Of Adrien Rabiot Reaching Tipping Point

Arsenal has been monitoring PSG product Adrien Rabiot for some time and that pursuit is about to reach a tipping point come January.

One PSG man that Arsenal is linked to is not so far-fetched. Edinson Cavani has yet again been rumored to be disgruntled and seeking an out for the incredibly low, cut-rate of £42 million. For that, we ignore those rumors.

Related: 15 Arsenal Transfer Rumors To Watch For Come January

It is PSG’s Adrien Rabiot that is far more likely to come to Arsenal. The 20-year old Frenchman has been monitored by Arsenal for quite awhile but one thing or another has held Arsene Wenger back. Now that the rumors are reemerging, the likelihood seems a lot more plausible.

First, let’s talk fit. Rabiot plays the all-important midfield role that has been held down by one man: Francis Coquelin. However, he also plays a more advanced role as well as a box-to-box role. Since assuming first-team duties with the French giants, Rabiot has been a mainstay. He has gone the full 90 in five of his last eight matches.

In terms of skill set, the young Frenchman has the prerequisites to be excited about. He averages over three tackles per game and just under two interceptions (stats via WhoScored.com). He maintains a superb 91% pass completion, which, for a 20 year old, is nothing short of fantastic. 

Arsenal FC

Rabiot has the size and strength to be a formidable midfield force. He is even an aerial threat. Call him a Swiss army knife of a midfielder.

But Rabiot is a PSG product, so what would entice him to jump ship and go to Arsenal? Well, in the past he has always been stuck in the prospect phase at PSG. Consistent first-team football was elusive. Now that Marco Verratti has been out injured, Rabiot has been tasting that first team football. But Verratti is not going to be gone forever and when he returns, Rabiot will be pushed back into the shadow.

After all, Verrati is being tipped by Xavi and Thiago Silva to be the next great thing. He is even being pursued by Real Madrid and Barcelona. PSG still has the star-power to maintain Verratti, but given that he knows his own worth, he is not going to want a split-time role with a 20 year old fill-in.

That is where Arsenal comes in. Something is going to have to give way. If Verratti was older, Rabiot could wait it out at his long-time club. But given that Verratti is just 23, Rabiot cannot sit around and wait for an opening. If he wants consistent first team football, he would be better off plying his trade at Arsenal, where a bunch of midfielder’s expiration dates are fast approaching.

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In terms of price, Rabiot’s market value is still hanging out around £5 million according to Transfermarkt, but PSG will be seeking at least double that to part with such an exciting prospect.

Whatever the price, Arsenal would be well-served to prod their noses into PSG’s business. The situation needs a resolution and it seems highly unlikely that PSG can maintain both Rabiot and Verratti for the long haul.