Spurs still chasing Rabiot

Tottenham wanted to sign Adrien Rabiot from PSG in January and had an agreement with the player to join us on loan. Stories in France paint his mother, who is his agent, as someone who drives a hard bargain. Unless Rabiot was guaranteed games she was refusing to sign a new contract. PSG coach Laurent Blanc responded by not picking him in any squad and said he wouldn't be picked until he did sign.

When all parties eventually agreed a deal, a clause was inserted that he could leave on loan in January until the end of the season.

Tottenham let the deal drop as the transfer window grew shorter and PSG were making sure he didn't leave before the end of the window. It was thought Tottenham didn't want to upset PSG by insisting on the loan. At the time it was thought the two clubs might arrange for the transfer of Adebayor at the end of the season or Ezequiel Lavezzi.

If reports that we have agreed a deal are right then it was Lavezzi we were definitely after. The Rabiot deal is not dead though. Etienne Capoue and Paulinho have no future at Tottenham, it is hoped their replacement will be French youth international Adrien Rabiot and full international Morgan Schneiderlin.

So how have PSG used Rabiot since he signed a new contract, ends 2019,and the winter transfer window has closed?

vs Lyon sat on bench
vs Caen played 74 minutes
vs Toulouse played 88 minutes as defensive midfield and scored 2 goals
vs Monaco played 15 minutes
vs Lens played 90 minutes in central midfield
vs Bordeaux played 90 minutes in central midfield
vs Lorient played 25 minutes
vs Marseilles played 8 minutes
vs Nizza played 90 minutes in central midfield
vs Lille played 24 minutes
vs Metz played 25 minutes
vs Nantes played 39 minutes
vs Guingamp played 13 minutes
vs Montpellier played 90 minutes in central midfield providing 1 assist & being booked

In all he started 5 games, 4 as a central midfielder, 1 as defensive midfield.

What are the chances of this happening? It looks highly unlikely to me, he may be the right age but there are a host of clubs who want to sign him, all the top names have him earmarked. There were stories that he wants to play for PSG long term so while it may have been possible to arrange a season long loan deal, we would want a purchase option at a fixed price at the end of it, which is something PSG don't want to give.

They don't want to lose him and all the substitute appearances are an attempt to keep him happy, but being young he wants to start games and especially the big games. My guess is he won't be coming to Spurs.

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