Marcel Brands should seal a Carlo Ancelotti reunion for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot amid claims of a possible summer transfer to Everton.

What’s the word?

According to France Football, via Sport Witness, Ancelotti is willing the Toffees to meet Juve’s €30m (£26m) asking price to acquire the services of the French midfielder.

The Blues boss handed Rabiot his Paris Saint-Germain debut whilst in charge at Les Parc des Princes in 2012, and appears keen on reuniting with his former charge at Goodison Park.

Reports from France follow claims in Italy from over the weekend, which suggested the Juve hierarchy were considering an offer from an English side thought to have been Everton.

The Toffees were also linked with Rabiot during the January transfer window, when it was suggested that negotiations were underway regarding a potential loan-to-buy deal, while claims last summer suggested Goodison Park was his most likely destination.

Rabiot is currently not said to be a non-transferable player in Turin despite finding a home in Andrea Pirlo’s plans, and would be allowed to leave the Allianz Stadium for €30m.

The £176,000-per-week maestro has drifted in and out of the Old Lady’s starting line-up this term but opened Pirlo’s last two Serie A fixtures, taking his record to 12 starts in 18 outings.

He has also started and played all but 16 minutes of Juventus’ Coppa Italia campaign so far, in which Pirlo’s side eliminated league title rivals Inter Milan while recording his only assist of the season in a 4-0 win over SPAL.

Should Everton sign Rabiot?

Everton signing Rabiot could prove to be a rumour that endlessly rumbles on and the arrival of Ancelotti has only given more fuel to the speculation, given their prior connection at PSG.

But the Blues’ Director of Football Brands should pursue the idea of bringing Rabiot to Goodison Park, as the 11-cap international could be the next player from Ancelotti’s past to move to Merseyside and thrive after Allan’s successful switch from SSC Napoli last summer.

While a hamstring injury has kept Allan out of action for the past two months, the Brazilian continues to rank first at Everton for ground duels won having come out on top in 6.58 duels a game – Tom Davies, who has stood in as the holding midfielder of late, offers 3.14, per SofaScore.

Allan also ranks first for average successful tackles a game among those to have featured more than once with 3.42, while Abdoulaye Doucoure registers 1.71, Andre Gomes 1.47 and Davies 1.14 among Ancelotti’s other regular engine room options.

Based on his efforts in the Serie A this season, Rabiot would slot in above Davies for ground duels won with success in 3.8 or 60% of his contests, while eclipsing Doucoure for tackles with 2.0 a game.

If Ancelotti is able to unlock even more from the 25-year-old, Everton would not go all that wrong by reuniting Rabiot with the Italian tactician. And with the Blues eying European football, another experienced head may come in handy next season.

AND in other news, Everton must offload an £80k-p/w dud Carlo Ancelotti admits he’s “frustrated” by…