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View: Reported Everton bid for Rabiot signals positive summer transfer intent
Prior to last night’s Champions League clash between Porto and Juventus, Everton made an offer to sign Adrien Rabiot, according to CalcioMercato.
The Frenchman, who has long been of interest to Everton and Carlo Ancelotti, scored Juventus’ third and final goal against the Portuguese champions as Juve won 3-2 on the night but failed to progress due to the away goals rule.
Rabiot’s goal and overall performance for the Bianconeri may have dashed Everton’s hopes of having an offer accepted, though their offer does signify a positive mentality ahead of the summer transfer window.
Everton’s midfield had been earmarked as an area that could welcome fresh recruits one the transfer window reopens, though the Blues have a tendency to take their time conducting business.
Last summer the window opened in late July but it wasn’t until early September that Everton made their first significant move, bringing Allan to Goodison Park from Napoli.
However, in making an offer for Rabiot this early the club are suggesting two key things: that Everton are targeting top-quality talent this summer, and that they’re not wasting any time in making movements in the market.
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Everton currently find themselves in an interesting position. They’re closing in on European qualification with a squad that somehow largely overachieved this season, possibly due to the calibre of coaching they’ve received under Ancelotti.
Should they make the leap into Europe that won’t be enough, meaning that new recruits will be essential both to bolster the quality and the depth of the squad.
If the Blues don’t land Rabiot this summer, at the very least their interest in the Juventus midfielder points to the club possessing the correct mindset to improve and conduct their business early.
It could also spell the end of Fabian Delph’s career as an Everton player, with the midfielder having spent the majority of the season injured, while also having fallen down the pecking order.
In other Everton news, former Blue Landon Donovan has praised ‘magical’ stadium Goodison Park.