Arsene Wenger has hinted he will look for a temporary solution to his midfield problems in January, by loaning a player. One man who looks like he will be available for loan is long-term central midfield target, Adrien Rabiot.
The 20 year old French holding midfielder is becoming unsettled by the lack of playing time at Paris Saint-Germain, and with Arsenal lacking depth in midfield – a loan deal sounds like a perfect solution.
“I’ve asked the president for a loan move in January if my time on the field is insufficient,” Rabiot told Telefoot .
“It’s something that he can’t refuse me – I know he likes me very much. When you train all week, you want to be on the field. Sometimes it’s not possible and it’s frustrating.
PSG are likely to grant the move if Arsenal do make a formal approach, but what may be concerning to Gunners fans is the players unwillingness to permanently leave France.
“Paris is my city. It’s great to play here. If I could impose myself here, it would be brilliant. I would be ready to play my whole career at PSG if I was a starter. I would see things differently, that’s for sure.”
With world-class players usually unavailable in January, it is understandable that a loan move may make more sense. But Rabiot is a long-term target, and surely if we were loaning the player, we would want to include a buy-option – but it appears likely that neither PSG nor the player would be comfortable with a clause of that nature.
Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin will miss most of the remainder of the season, so with Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere still out, the Gunners look vulnerable in the holding midfield roles. Rabiot is one of many players being considered right now, but his willingness to go out on loan in January is likely to see Arsenal’s interest materialise into formal negotiations. The one looks likely.
Rabiot’s combination of technical ability and height (6ft 2′), makes him an attractive option for Wenger – who has lacked a player with such a blend of abilities since Patrick Vieira.
PSG manager Laurent Blanc is frustrated by the comments with Rabiot only signing a new five year contract last year. Blanc said at a news conference on Monday. “”It annoys me.. I don’t want to say anymore and I’m going to concentrate on tomorrow’s match.
“Adrien has to understand that when you have the possibility of going to the end of your contract and to leave for free, you can do it. Otherwise, when you sign a contract of five years with PSG, you have to respect your first club. I’m not going to go any further than that because otherwise I risk annoying myself.”
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