Everton maintain contact with inconsistent midfield target as Newcastle battle looms

Everton are still looking into the potential signing of Adrien Rabiot, whose inconsistency at Juventus may make him available for transfer, according to reports.

Rabiot was linked with Everton when they were managed by Carlo Ancelotti. It seems he is still on their radar ahead of the summer, despite the Italian no longer being their coach.

According to But! Football Club, there has been contact from Everton for Rabiot in recent months too. He has been identified as a possible target to revitalise their midfield.

What’s more, Juventus are open to cashing in on the Frenchman, who is out of contract in 2023 and hasn’t been able to provide consistency since joining the Serie A side from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

Getting his €8m annual salary (around £130,000 per week) wages off the books would benefit Juventus. They will have their own plans for other signings in the summer.

Whether Everton would be willing to match those wages remains to be seen. It may depend on whether they can confirm their place in the Premier League or instead suffer relegation to the Championship.

They have been working to change their midfield options in recent transfer windows. For example, after Frank Lampard’s appointment in January, Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek came to the club.

But the latter is only on loan, so there could be more modification to the Everton engine room ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Rabiot to leave Juventus for only €15m with Premier League clubs interested

Juventus will let Rabiot leave this summer for cut price with Newcastle, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all interested

Rabiot has never played in the Premier League before, although he did spend some brief time in Manchester City’s academy as a teenager.

He has started 21 Serie A games this season, but has failed to score in the league or any other competition. There have been two assists he was responsible for, though.

Soon to turn 27, Rabiot should be in the prime of his career. He will be keen to spend it somewhere he can best express his talents on a regular basis.

Newcastle in same position for Rabiot

However, that may not necessarily be at Goodison Park. According to But! Football Club, he could alternatively swap the black-and-white stripes of Juventus for the black-and-white stripes of Newcastle United.

They too have apparently made contact about the possible signing of the 24-cap France international.

Top-flight status looks safer for Newcastle after a turn of events mid-way through the season. The appointment of Eddie Howe and subsequent spending on four permanent signings, plus one loan addition, in January has lifted them clear of danger.

They are not safe yet, but should be able to plan another transfer window where they can attract useful signings. Expectations are being kept low for the time being. But the Saudi-backed owners should be able to accommodate some top talent.

Bruno Guimaraes became a new member of their midfield ranks in January. Another reinforcement in that regard could arrive in the shape of Rabiot.

The report, which has come from transfer expert Ignazio Genuardi, does not clarify how much Rabiot may cost his interested parties.

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