Liverpool are interested in a deal to bring Adrien Rabiot to Anfield in the January transfer window.
What's the talk?
That's according to a report by Italian media outlet CalcioMercatoWeb, who claim that Julian Ward is plotting a move for the Juventus central midfielder this winter, with the Reds sporting director toying with the idea of offering the Serie A side Konstantinos Tsimikas in a direct swap for the France international.
From the Italian club's perspective, the report goes on to state that Massimiliano Allegri's side are evaluating whether or not to offer the 27-year-old a new deal at the Allianz Stadium - with Rabiot's current contract set to expire at the end of the season - while it is also said that Tsimikas could be a player who would tempt the Old Lady.
Imagine him & Thiago
Considering just how impressive Rabiot has been in a largely underwhelming Juventus side this season, coupled with the midfielder playing a starring role in France's World Cup victory over Australia on Tuesday evening, it is not difficult to understand why Ward would be keen on a deal to bring the 27-year-old to Anfield in January.
Indeed, over his 11 Serie A appearances so far in 2022/23, the £22m-rated talent has been in sensational attacking form, scoring three goals, registering two assists and creating one big chance, in addition to taking an average of 1.2 shots, making 0.9 key passes and completing 0.9 dribbles - at a success rate of 91% - per game.
The £151k-per-week midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, enjoying 49.5 touches of the ball, completing 29 passes - at a success rate of 86% - and playing 2.0 long balls per fixture, as well as making an average of 1.9 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and winning 5.1 duels - at a success rate of 55% - per game.
These returns have seen the player who Simon Austin claimed possesses "exceptional" technique average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.29, not only ranking him as Allegri's best performer in the league but also as the joint tenth-best player in the Italian top flight as a whole.
The playmaker also stole the show during France's 4-1 comeback victory in Qatar yesterday night, with Rabiot turning in a devastating attacking performance, bagging Les Blues' equaliser with a fantastic header before setting up Olivier Giroud for his side's second after some brilliant pressing to win possession in a dangerous position.
The 27-year-old also caught the eye in more workman-like metrics, making five tackles and one interception, completing 57 of his 63 attempted passes - a success rate of 90% - and winning seven of his 12 duels, in addition to finding his man with his two attempted long balls and one attempted cross, making one key pass and creating one big chance for his side.
These metrics saw the 27-year-old earn an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 8.5, ranking him as Didier Deschamps' third-best performer on the night - not a bad feat for his World Cup debut.
Furthermore, with Rabiot used to playing in a three-man midfield at Juventus, it would appear likely that the 30-cap international would have no problem slotting in alongside the defensively-minded Fabinho and the free-flowing Thiago in Jurgen Klopp's midfield, with the Frenchman looking to be the perfect forward-thinking partner for the Spaniard either side of the Brazilian.
Indeed, considering Thiago is equally as steady with the ball at his feet as Rabiot - completing over 86% of his Premier League passes - this would certainly be a fine duo in the centre of the park.
As such, should there be an opportunity for Ward to move for the Frenchman this winter, it would indeed appear extremely wise for the Liverpool sporting director to launch a bid for the 27-year-old, as Rabiot would very much look to make an exceptional addition to Klopp's current options in the middle of the park.