Liverpool pull out of race to sign Barcelona target – report

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Liverpool are not believed to be in the running to sign Adrien Rabiot, contrary to reports last week.

It was recently claimed the Reds had already held talks over a possible deal for the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder in anticipation of his contract running out at the end of the season.

Various outlets suggested Jurgen Klopp had personally made contact with Rabiot, which immediately seemed unlikely given the trouble the club landed itself in for meeting with Virgil van Dijk last summer.

The rumours were also deemed an improbable follow up to Klopp dedicating near to £100million to bolstering his midfield options through Naby Keita and Fabinho during the most recent transfer window.

Talk of interest in Rabiot was swiftly rubbished by the Liverpool Echo, and Football Italia are now reporting the club has pulled out of the race for the 23-year-old – a race it appears they were never really in.

Fabinho, Keita – image by Liverpoolfc.com

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Rabiot will be in action at Anfield this month when Liverpool host PSG in their Champions League Group C opener on September 18.

The Reds look well set in midfield for the time being, with Keita and Fabinho offering Klopp valuable expertise at either end of the pitch.

James Milner has also maintained his outstanding form over the second half of last season to cement a starting spot across the Reds four-game winning start to the campaign.

Liverpool’s enhanced midfield strength in depth has even left skipper Jordan Henderson with a tough route into the starting lineup, made even more difficult by Georginio Wijnaldum’s fine form.

It’s also worth noting that Klopp will have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at his disposal against next season when the former Arsenal man returns from his long-term knee injury.

Barcelona look strong contenders to snap up Rabiot and arguably appear the club best suited to his tidy retention of the ball.

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