Rabiot open for talks
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Liverpool are well primed to secure his services ahead of Tottenham.
The 23-year-old’s mother said in December that her son would leave his boyhood club in the summer after growing frustrated with his lack of playing time.
The physical midfielder is available for £9million (€10m) this January, but can arrive for free from July 1.
Tottenham – along with Juventus and Barcelona – were alerted to his availability but a Rabiot source told ESPN that the midfielder considers Spurs as a club “below” the tier for whom he wants to play.
Ostensibly a Liverpool fan, that gives Jurgen Klopp an opening to enter talks with Rabiot, who can discuss his future with potential clubs this January.
The Frenchman has a wealth of experience for his age, playing 227 games for PSG and notching 24 goals.
At 6ft 2in, the central midfielder has a commanding presence befitting of the Premier League, and his contract situation makes him an attractive proposition.
Back-up for Robertson
The most likely position in which Liverpool will strengthen is left-back, according to the Daily Mail.
The paper claims the Reds are “unlikely to make many additions barring significant injuries”.
Andy Robertson has made the position his own after the consistently precarious performances of Alberto Moreno, who has become a maligned figure in Merseyside.
Bristol City defender Lloyd Kelly has been linked with Klopp’s side after an impressive season.
The 20-year-old is on England’s books as an under-21 player and is highly-rated is highly-rated at Ashton Gate.
A second stab for Ben Arfa?
Hatem Ben Arfa had one mercurial spell in England – playing for Newcastle and Hull between 2010 and 2015 – but could be set for another.
After fleeing the Premier League in 2015, the Frenchman has excelled in Ligue 1, running riot for Nice before earning a move to PSG.
In search of regular first-team football, Ben Arfa left last summer and joined Rennes, but, like Rabiot, his contract expires in June.
The Liverpool Echo have touted the winger as a potential option for Klopp, who doesn’t have a natural back-up on the flanks bar Xherdan Shaqiri, who has been deployed as a No 10 this season.