New Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has reportedly identified Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot as one of his primary targets in the upcoming January transfer window.
The Spaniard signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Gunners last week and was in the stands to watch his new club draw with Everton at Goodison Park last Saturday.
He will be in the dugout as Arsenal manager for the first time on Boxing Day when Arsenal travel to Bournemouth looking to arrest a run of form that has produced just one win in 15 games.
Arteta is believed to have given a full appraisal of the Arsenal squad he has inherited when he interviewed for the job and already knows the areas that need strengthening.
The transfer window opens in just five days’ time and, according to The Times, Arteta is looking to bolster his midfield and wants to make Rabiot his first signing.
The Frenchman, who only joined the club in the summer, has started just five matches in Serie A and Arsenal are hoping to persuade Juventus to let him leave on loan.
Rabiot was frequently linked with a move to the Premier League – and, indeed, Arsenal – while at PSG, though opted to join Juve on a free transfer.
But Maurizio Sarri is overloaded with options in central midfield, favouring the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Rodrigo Bentancur and Blaise Matuidi – in fact, former Gooner Aaron Ramsey has also found his game time limited, starting just three times in the league.
Arteta’s move for Rabiot is believed to be independent from Granit Xhaka’s future, with the Swiss midfielder – who clashed with fans earlier this season – linked with a January exit.
Arsenal’s hierarchy have previously intimated that they could be active in January despite spending big in the summer, breaking their transfer record for Nicolas Pepe, and Arteta has sat down with technical director Edu to discuss plans.
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