Adrien Rabiot already dropped transfer hint amid Liverpool 'contact' for free transfer

Liverpool is mostly being linked with wide forwards or center-backs at present. There have been rumors regarding interest in the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Xavi Simons and Nico Williams for the former position, Waldemar Anton and Leny Yoro for the latter.

But that doesn’t mean these are the only areas of the team that new sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot are looking to address. The Reds have also been linked with France international Adrien Rabiot.

This is not a new story as such. You can find articles about Rabiot and Liverpool on here dating back to 2020. However, as he will be out of contract and available on a free transfer at the end of this month, that immediately makes the chances of this rumor becoming reality a little stronger. It has even been reported that the Reds have made contact with the 29-year-old, or at least his representatives.

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That’s according to Sportitalia, who have claimed that Real Madrid, Liverpool and other unnamed Premier League sides have reached out. Rabiot came close to joining Manchester United in the past (per the Mirror), though it was reportedly put off by his wage demands.

Per FBRef, he currently earns $185k (£146k/€173k) a week, which is less than the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are reportedly paid by the Reds. With his next move likely the last big one of his career, though, it’s reasonable to assume Rabiot would be looking for more.

Sportitalia also note that his current club Juventus is still hoping to keep him. The Old Lady of Turin recently appointed Thiago Motta as its new manager and according to quotes posted by Fabrizio Romano on X, Rabiot is a fan.

“Thiago Motta? He’s an excellent manager, he did fantastic at Bologna. We used to play together at PSG,” he said, with the duo recording over 100 shared matches with the Parisiens. “Thiago has his own career, I have mine… so we will see. But Juve made the correct choice with Thiago Motta,” Rabiot added.

But as he revealed to Tuttosport last year, the French international teammate of Ibrahima Konaté is also fond of the Reds. "I liked Liverpool so much because I was a fan of Steven Gerrard who made me dream and therefore I followed the Reds. My other idol was [Zinedine] Zidane," he said. Rabiot won’t be short of offers but Liverpool might have an edge.

Liverpool.com says: Midfield options haven't been discussed for Liverpool too much in this window, but the departure of Thiago Alcântara means there is possibly space in the squad for a veteran on a high wage. Whether Rabiot proves to be that man will have to be revealed in due course.