Former Arsenal star Charlie Nicholas has urged the Gunners to make an approach to sign Adrien Rabiot, who will be available on a free transfer when his contract expires with Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
The north London side are preparing to part ways with midfielder Aaron Ramsey during this summer’s transfer window and they are said to be eyeing a cost-cut replacement with the limited budget at their disposal.
Amidst this, the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Andre Gomes have been linked with the club but Nicholas has suggested that his former side should look into an agreement for Rabiot, who should be available on a Bosman.
He told Sky Sports: “We need a box-to-box style midfield player and a player that can pick a pass too, so it is a matter of bringing in the right ones.”
“Adrien Rabiot will be a free-agent and been linked with different clubs, but I would take him. He has the quality and is of decent level, which Arsenal need.”
Rabiot made it clear that he won’t extend his contract with Les Parisiens in December and this has contributed towards the French side dropping him from their first-team plans for the rest of the season.
Regardless of this, he should prove a quality addition to the Gunners ranks with his strong passing capabilities and alongside that, he should suit the physical demands of the Premier League with his good tackling and aerial attributes.
Gunners boss Emery may have the edge in luring Rabiot with his close association with the player at Parc des Princes between 2016 and 2018, but it remains to be seen whether the player’s wage demands are affordable for the club.
There is said to be a keen emphasis on lowering the wage bill at the club with the potential sale of outcasts but the club may still be reluctant to reward the midfielder with a big-money contract with the signing-on fee likely to come into discussion as well.
