Paris Saint-Germain’s Rabiot agrees terms with Barcelona – source

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot has agreed terms with Barcelona ahead of a future move but a January transfer is not likely, a source has told ESPN FC.

Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique, has been in talks with Barca since the start of this month — the beginning of the final six months of the 23-year-old’s PSG contract.

Barca have denied that an agreement has been reached, but the source said they were offering a basic annual salary of €10 million and a €10m signing-on fee as part of a bonus-heavy contract at least four years long.

PSG believe the agreement predates Rabiot entering the final six months of his deal, the source said.

There remains a possibility that the France international could move this month, but that is unlikely to happen before PSG depart for their winter tour in Qatar at the end of this week.

The source said PSG remain keen to sell in January, but Barca are reluctant to pay extra for a player they have been told will be theirs in the summer. 

Other clubs interested in and willing to pay for Rabiot this month, including Tottenham, do not interest him and would be unable to match Barca’s terms.

Rabiot’s move could boost PSG’s pursuit of Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong, meaning they could offer him a regular starting role.

Meanwhile, the French champions are making further space for a midfield addition by entering contract termination talks with Lassana Diarra, another source said.

Diarra, 33, is into the final six months of his deal and has suffered knee problems since his arrival.

The source said PSG were aware of Diarra’s knee troubles when they signed him less than 12 months ago, but the source said the France international has been deemed “unusable” in important matches.

Although coach Thomas Tuchel likes the player, he cannot rely on him and has preferred to use Marquinhos in a makeshift midfield role.

Diarra could try to earn a final contract elsewhere but is considering retirement due to his knee problems. If he does, PSG are interested in offering him a staff role.