Barcelona have won the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain contract rebel Adrien Rabiot.
The France international has turned down the several offers from the French champions to extend his stay at Parc des Princes and has subsequently been frozen out of Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Rabiot has failed to make a single appearance early since December and was again left out the squad which travelled to Old Trafford earlier this week ahead of the 2-0 win which virtually guarantees PSG a place in the Champions League quarter finals.
Despite his recent inactivity, a clutch of Europe’s biggest clubs have registered an interest in the elegant midfielder. Arsenal had hoped Unai Emery’s relationship with his former charge would give them an advantage in the race to sign the 23-year-old.
Rabiot’s extravagant wage demands, however, ruled Arsenal and Bayern Munich out contention, while Manchester United entered the race too late to influence the player’s decision.
Barcelona had considered dropping their interest having already secured the services of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax ahead of next season but, according to Le Parisien, have now struck a verbal agreement with Rabiot who will sign for the Spanish champions on July 1.
Although Barcelona were well stocked for central midfielders, even before confirmation of De Jong’s signing, stalwart Sergio Busquets turns 31 in July, while his long-time partner Ivan Rakitic has been heavily linked with a move away at the end of the current campaign.
