What Adrien Rabiot transfer link means for Jürgen Klopp
The transfer window may be sealed shut until January, but that doesn't mean Liverpool's recruitment team have put their feet up until the New Year.
Indeed, it's during these supposedly fallow months that the foundations are laid for the next raft of Anfield incomings.
The rumour mill, then, continues to whirl. The gossip goes on.
And this week emerged claims Liverpool have been in contact with the mother and agent of Adrien Rabiot over a move for the Paris Saint-Germain forward next summer.
The 23-year-old France international is out of contract at the end of the season and would be able to hold talks with clubs from abroad in January.
Barcelona, denied in an attempt to sign Rabiot during the recent transfer window, are also said to be keen, while PSG haven't given up hope of the playing penning a new deal at the Parc des Princes.
Liverpool, though, are the early favourites.Not least because Rabiot hasn't been shy to profess his love of the Reds.
Back in October, while discussing his future plans, he dropped a not exactly subtle hint.
"I think I would like to experience something else (outside Ligue 1),” said Rabiot.
"There are a lot of very good championships, it’s also very rewarding to go elsewhere.
"I would love to play in the Premier League, not necessarily one club in particular, even though I was very fond of Liverpool when I was young."
In March, he took to Instagram to post a photo of him watching Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City on television, with appropriately positive emojis.
And go back to November 2016, he paid tribute to the retiring Steven Gerrard with the message “LEGEND of football, you had a great career” along with the complete lyrics of the Kop's Gerrard song – complete with sweary bits.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been a long-time admirer of Rabiot, having been linked with him while still in charge of Borussia Dortmund in 2014.
But even if Rabiot had no great previous affinity with Liverpool, few eyebrows would be raised at his name being linked with an Anfield move.
Nor that the Reds could conceivably be in a battle with Barcelona over the player's signature.
It hasn't happened overnight. But Liverpool is now becoming a destination of choice for up-and-coming talent from Europe and beyond.
Witness the signing of Naby Keita, who was prepared to agree a deal a year in advance of being able to pull on a Red jersey for the first time.
Then there's Alisson Becker, a target of Real Madrid but who ultimately wanted to come to Liverpool.
People are seeing not only the evolution under Jurgen Klopp, but the manner in which it is being achieved. An emphasis on not just attacking, entertaining football, but on winning football.
The last step, silverware, is yet to be made. But the Reds will be knocking strongly on door once again this season.
A pursuit of Rabiot would also underline that, as well as readily splashing the cash, Liverpool's recruitment team remain keen on the type of bargain that saw them snap up Joel Matip for nothing two years ago.
Rabiot will at least be at Anfield in less than a fortnight when PSG come to visit for the Champions League Group C opener.
If he becomes a regular sighting next year, it would be another example of how the transfer landscape continues to shift at Liverpool.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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