Former Liverpool player Glen Johnson has urged the club to sign Adrien Rabiot after the France midfielder confirmed he was leaving Juventus. The 29-year-old has turned down a new deal with the Serie A club and is now being linked with a host of big-name European teams after returning from Euro 2024.
Rabiot has spent five seasons in Italy after moving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
He added one top-flight title to the six he previously won in France and despite being linked to AC Milan, is reportedly seeking a fresh challenge in a different European league.
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And Johnson, who played 200 times for Liverpool during a six-year stint, has encouraged Arne Slot and Fenway Sports Group not to look a gift horse in the mouth. The player was said to be on a deal with around £150,000-a-week in Turin, but the ex-right-back believes the absence of any transfer fee makes him an attractive proposition.
“He’s a player I like and I’ve always been a fan, even more so when he’s free,” Johnson told Betfred. “He’s a top, top player and I know he’d command a certain wage with no transfer fee attached.
“But you can still do a deal that works for both him and the club. Players like him don’t come around often on a free, so I believe Liverpool should do all they can to sign him.”
Slot is yet to make his first summer signing since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, with some fans now voicing frustration at the lack of activity. But the Reds could also face competition from rivals Manchester United, who were heavily linked with 48-cap international last year.
And the saga led his mother and agent to hint that her son would consider a move to Old Trafford in the future. "We are on excellent terms with Manchester United,” Veronique Rabiot told La Gazzetta Sport.
“United wanted to meet me to illustrate their interest in Adrien, but we never talked about money in detail because he quickly decided to stay in Turin. There were never any real negotiations.”
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Rabiot's mum is famed for her outspoken and controversial ways, a notion that may make Liverpool reluctant to open negotiations. But the fact they are able to offer Champions League football could be telling if they do become embroiled in a transfer battle with United.
The club have already missed out on the signing of Leny Yoro, seemingly unwilling to meet Lille’s £52million asking price. The 18-year-old centre-back duly went to Old Trafford, who also beat off competition from Real Madrid.
