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Football

30th Dec 2018

Barcelona release statement addressing Adrien Rabiot rumours

FC Barcelona have issued a statement in response to the rumours circulating in the press regarding links between the club and PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot

Reuben Pinder

They deny breaking any rules

FC Barcelona have issued a statement in response to the rumours circulating in the French press regarding links between the club and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

Over the past few months, there have been constant rumours of a potential move to Barcelona for the player, whose contract with PSG will expire in the summer of 2019.

To avoid losing him on a free, it now seems likely that PSG could allow Rabiot to leave in January.

Some stories have suggested that Barça circumvented transfer rules and approached Rabiot directly, offering him a five-year deal. Barcelona have since released a statement denying any rule breaking, explaining that they have only made contact with PSG about the player twice, and ‘want to work with the utmost transparency in their transfer dealings’.

The statement reads:

FC Barcelona wish to address stories published in France regarding the signing of players from Paris Saint Germain, and make clear that they have not breached any rule in this regard.

The only contact made was during the month of August and one week ago. In both cases, this contact was made with PSG’s sporting management to show FC Barcelona’s interest in player Adrien Rabiot.

FC Barcelona have always wanted to work with the utmost transparency in their dealings with PSG and with any other club.

FC Barcelona refute the existence of any type of agreement with PSG player Adrien Rabiot.

Since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival at the Parc des Princes, Rabiot’s relationship with the club seems to have broken down gradually, and an exit seems inevitable.

At Barcelona he would provide cover at the base of midfield for Sergio Busquets while also offering a different option in the more advanced midfield roles, usually occupied by Arthur and Ivan Rakitić.

Barça have already made their first signing of the winter window, bringing in Jeison Murillo from Valencia.