Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot this summer.
The 29-year-old is out of contract at the Italian giants, prompting a scramble for his signature across Europe.
Despite Aston Villa‘s qualification for next season’s Champions League, the club are still in danger of breaching Premier League financial rules as well as FFP so will have to be clever with their business.
Therefore, a move for a free agent like Rabiot makes sense, with Italian publication Tutto Mercato Web reporting Unai Emery‘s side hold an interest in the midfielder who will represent France at this summer’s European Championships.
The report suggests that long-term admirers Manchester United are expected to reignite their interest in Rabiot, as well as Bayern Munich, so Villa could face stiff competition for his signature.
Unai Emery has worked with Adrien Rabiot previously
One factor that could give the Villa Park outfit an advantage in the race to sign Rabiot is the fact that he has worked under Emery previously.
The pair were at PSG together, with Emery manager of the French club for just under two years between 2016 and 2018.
Rabiot was a key player for the Spanish coach, playing 60 league games across the two seasons Emery was in charge of the Parisian side according to Transfermarkt.
It is likely Emery would welcome a reunion with his former player, as the Tutto Mercato Web report states that the 52-year-old viewed Rabiot as an ‘exemplary professional’ before suggesting the manager would ‘always like to have a player of his qualities in his teams’.
What has Rabiot said about Emery previously
Despite the fact he would not cost Villa a transfer fee, Rabiot’s wage demands could prove a stumbling block to any potential deal.
According to Capology, Rabiot’s current Juventus contract sees him paid around £189k-a-week once bonuses are taken into consideration.
Usually players available for free are able to negotiate a higher wage due to the the money interested clubs are saving on paying a fee for the player.
However it is unlikely Villa would match Rabiot’s current salary given their highest earners are currently Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans on £150k weekly.
Rabiot may lower his demands to reignite his working relationship with Emery, though, having spoken highly of the Spaniard in an interview with Goal in 2016, saying: “[Laurent] Blanc had certain things going for him but I think Emery is a little closer to the players.
“This is a coach who really communicates with everyone. He is asking us our opinion after the sessions, what we liked, what we didn’t like.”
Emery tried to sign Rabiot when he was previously out of contract when the manager was at Arsenal, but the French midfielder ultimately decided to sign for Juventus.
Now, with Villa in the Champions League, Emery could finally bring Rabiot to England.
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