An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Juventus gem Adrien Rabiot heading into the summer transfer window...
What's the talk?
According to Corriere Dello Sport, via Sport Witness, the Magpies are one of the clubs eyeing up a deal to sign the central midfielder ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
The report claims that he is set to be available for a fee in the region of €15m (£13m) as the Italian giants are willing to part ways with him in the coming months.
Chelsea and the Toon are said to be the two Premier League teams leading the race to land his signature, although Arsenal have been credited with an interest in the past.
Newcastle's own Paul Pogba
Eddie Howe can land his own version of the Manchester United midfielder by signing the Old Lady gem this summer.
Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon once compared Rabiot to his fellow French international, 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.”
Pogba, who is leaving Old Trafford this year, has played at the top level throughout his career as he has represented Manchester United, Juventus and France. In over 400 games for club and country, he has averaged 2.6 tackles and interceptions and 1.3 key passes per game.
Rabiot, meanwhile, has also played for Juventus and France - along with PSG - and has caught the eye with his displays in the middle of the park. In over 300 games for club and country, the 27-year-old has averaged 3.4 tackles and interceptions and 0.5 key passes per game.
These statistics show that he is not as creative on the ball as his international teammate but has been able to win the ball back for his side more regularly. This aligns with Buffon's comments about them sharing physical strength as an attribute as both players have proven that they can get stuck in to win possession for their teams.
Rabiot has also averaged a career WhoScored rating of 7.03 and this proves that he is an excellent performer at the top level. He has shown that he can handle the pressure of playing in major competitions; in Ligue 1, the Serie A, the European Championships, and the Champions League, and Newcastle must now bring him in to be their own physical central midfield option like Pogba is for club and country.