'World class' £148,000-a-week Arsenal target makes future plans admission

Arsenal are being linked with several of the European Championships top performers as they prepare for a busy summer of spending.

Having already been linked with the likes of Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori, Spain’s Martin Zubimendi and Nico Williams, the Gunners once again find themselves connected to France star Adrien Rabiot who is now a free agent following the expiration of his Juventus contract.

A central midfielder is thought to be of high priority this summer with Thomas Partey’s Emirates exit expected. Zubimendi had been heavily linked with a move but the Real Sociedad star seems reluctant to depart his childhood team while Arsenal’s other transfer target Douglas Luiz has opted to swap Aston Villa for Rabiot’s former side Juventus.

Rabiot, who is playing as a number eight for Didier Deschamps in Germany, is now back on Arsenal’s radar and with Declan Rice needing a new midfield partner, it is thought the imposing ‘world class’ presence of Rabiot would be a perfect solution.

While speculation rises as to his future, Rabiot has admitted that uncertainty pervades and taking to X, the Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano discussed the 29-year-old’s situation.

Romano wrote: “Adrien Rabiot on his future: “I don’t know what’s going to happen. My focus is 100% on the Euros and then we will see what happens”, Rabiot added.

“Rabiot, currently free agent as his contract at Juventus expired today - no formal statement yet as Juve offered new deal.”

While he reportedly took home £148,000-a-week in Turin, Arsenal would not need a fee to secure the services of the French star - who would bring huge amounts of European experience to N7 - meaning Rabiot could represent an exceptionally shrewd business deal.

The former Paris Saint-Germain star has been a long-term transfer target with his name being banded around the Emirates for the last five years at least. Earlier this year, it was also reported that the Gunners had been in contact with Rabiot’s camp but it appears any potential decision will wait until France have ended their Euros 2024 campaign.

Rabiot, who has played all of France’s Euros games, will miss their quarter-final clash against Portugal after receiving two yellow cards.