An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s interest in signing Adrien Rabiot in the summer transfer window…
What’s the latest on Adrien Rabiot to Newcastle?
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Magpies have ‘tested the ground’ on a potential deal to sign the French midfielder on a free transfer at the end of the campaign, with his deal at Juventus set to expire, as Dan Ashworth eyes up a swoop for the gem.
The report claims that the 27-year-old is demanding €10m (£8.9m) per season, which works out at roughly £171k-per-week, and his current club are only willing to offer €7m (£6.2m) for two more seasons.
It is stated that fellow Premier League side Arsenal are also in the running for his signature and that a move to England is his ‘most likely’ destination.
Would Rabiot be an upgrade on Longstaff at Newcastle?
Ashworth could land Eddie Howe a big upgrade on current Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff by finalising a deal to sign Rabiot on a free transfer ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Magpies academy graduate has enjoyed a resurgence in the first-team picture this season and worked his socks off in the middle of the park, but the Juventus dynamo could provide a step up in quality.
In the Premier League this term, Longstaff has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.74 across his 22 appearances, making 1.7 tackles and interceptions and 0.8 key passes per game. The Englishman has also won 44% of his duels and completed 80% of his attempted passes in midfield.
Meanwhile, Rabiot has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.08 in his 18 outings for Juventus in Serie A. The 27-year-old has made 2.8 tackles and interceptions and created 1.1 chances per match, whilst winning 54% of his duels and completing 84% of his passes, as per Sofascore.
These statistics suggest that the France international would be an upgrade on the Newcastle gem both in terms of his defensive quality and efficiency, and his creative talent in possession. Rabiot also provides a goal threat from midfield – scoring four times in the Italian top flight this season – whilst Longstaff has only managed four goals in 100 Premier League appearances in his career.
Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon once hailed the French midfielder’s physicality, saying: “He is a fantastic mix, he has the physical strength of Pogba, who is like a wardrobe, has the personality of Vidal and potentially the dynamism of Marchisio. He is incredible, extremely strong.”
This suggests that Rabiot has the physique to cope with the demands of English football, which would allow his qualities both in and out of possession to shine through.
Therefore, Ashworth could improve Newcastle’s options in the middle of the park by beating Arsenal to the Juventus star’s signature in the coming months.
