Several top Premier League clubs are on high alert as Paris Saint-Germain's stuttering start to the group stages of the Champions League could cause a transfer battle for one of their star players, with Adrien Rabiot reportedly ready to turn down a new contract offer if the Ligue 1 side fail to qualify for the knockout stages.
PSG are currently third in Group C in Europe - behind Liverpool and Napoli - after taking four points from their opening three games and there is genuine concern amongst fans of Thomas Tuchel's men that they could fail to get out of the group.
According to Rai (via PSG Direct), Rabiot will not extend his contract - which expires in the summer of 2019 - if PSG flop in the Champions League again, meaning the French champions may be forced to sell when the winter transfer window opens in January. It is the latest twist in a contract saga that has been dragging on for months.
There are likely to be a host of Premier League clubs interested in the services of the 23-year-old, who was linked with moves to Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United during the summer, while Barcelona are also said to be interested.
The Frenchman would need a strong manager though as he isn't a stranger to controversy. Rabiot refused to be on the standby list for France's 2018 World Cup squad, saying he couldn't follow the training programme, which led Didier Deschamps to slam the player for a "huge mistake".
There is no doubting the talent of Rabiot as he continues to be an integral part of this PSG side, scoring two goals and laying on one assist in 13 appearances in all competitions this season, albeit there is a growing frustration in France with his failure to live up to his undoubted potential.
He would add quality to the centre of any midfield, although Liverpool seem to be in rude health in that department currently as Fabinho and Naby Keita have adapted to English football in decent fashion. Manchester United would surely be interested as rumours about the future of Paul Pogba continue to swirl, although would Rabiot wish to swap Paris for the current regime at Old Trafford.
It would be a real statement of intent from Arsenal if they were able to secure his services, although the presence of La Liga giants Barcelona in the background of this transfer battle casts a large shadow and they are surely in pole position if Rabiot is available in January.
