Al Nassr offers 20 million euros to Rabiot

Al Nassr, a leading club in the Saudi Pro League, has made a significant move in the transfer market by offering French midfielder Adrien Rabiot a lucrative contract worth 20 million euros per season.

This information comes from a report by the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, which highlights the Saudi club's ambitions to strengthen their squad with high-profile players. Rabiot, who is 29 years old, is currently a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired. His availability on a free transfer makes him an attractive target for clubs looking to add experienced talent without paying a transfer fee.

Adrien Rabiot's career has seen him play for some of the top clubs in Europe. He began his professional journey at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he quickly emerged as a talented midfielder. During his time at PSG, Rabiot won several domestic trophies, including Ligue 1 titles, the Coupe de France, and the Coupe de la Ligue, establishing himself as one of the top young talents in French football. In 2019, he made the move to Juventus, where he further developed his skills and gained valuable experience playing in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League. His time at Juventus saw him win the Serie A title, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa Italiana, although his performances were often inconsistent, leading to some criticism and eventually his decision to leave the club at the end of his contract.

Now, as a free agent, Rabiot is considering his next career move. The offer from Al Nassr presents a significant financial incentive, with the 20 million euros per season making it one of the most lucrative contracts on the market. This offer reflects the growing financial power of clubs in the Saudi Pro League, which has been investing heavily in bringing top-tier talent to the league. The Saudi Pro League aims to raise its profile and competitiveness on the global stage, and signing a player of Rabiot's caliber would be a major statement of intent.

The potential move to Al Nassr is reportedly being encouraged by Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for the Saudi club. Ronaldo and Rabiot were teammates at Juventus, where they developed a strong professional relationship. According to Corriere dello Sport, Ronaldo is actively pushing for Rabiot to join Al Nassr, using his influence within the club to advocate for the signing. Ronaldo's presence at Al Nassr has already been a major draw for other players, and his support for Rabiot's move could be a decisive factor in convincing the French midfielder to make the switch to Saudi Arabia.

However, there are some challenges that Al Nassr would need to overcome to complete the signing. The Saudi Pro League has a strict limit on the number of foreign players that each club can have in their squad. This rule is designed to ensure that local players have opportunities to develop and play, while also maintaining a competitive balance in the league. Al Nassr is already close to reaching this limit, which means that signing Rabiot would require some maneuvering.

One potential solution mentioned in the Corriere dello Sport report is for Al Nassr to request an annual exemption from the league authorities. This exemption would allow them to register Rabiot as an additional foreign player, circumventing the current rules. However, such exemptions are not guaranteed and would depend on various factors, including the league's willingness to accommodate Al Nassr's request and the club's ability to demonstrate the value that Rabiot would bring to the league. Another option could be to offload or loan out one of their existing foreign players to make room for Rabiot, but this would involve its own set of negotiations and potential complications.

If Al Nassr manages to secure Rabiot's signature, it would be a significant boost for the club and the league as a whole. Rabiot's experience and versatility as a midfielder would add quality to Al Nassr's squad, enhancing their prospects in both domestic and continental competitions. It would also reinforce the Saudi Pro League's reputation as a growing destination for top footballing talent, capable of attracting players who have competed at the highest levels in Europe.

For Rabiot, joining Al Nassr would represent a new chapter in his career. It would provide him with the opportunity to be a key player in a developing league, take on a leadership role in the team, and possibly enjoy a different footballing culture and lifestyle. The move could also offer him a fresh start after his mixed experiences in Europe, allowing him to showcase his talents on a new stage. Whether this potential transfer materializes will depend on a range of factors, including the resolution of the foreign player quota issue and the final decision by Rabiot on his future. Nonetheless, the offer from Al Nassr marks a significant development in the transfer market and could have far-reaching implications for the player, the club, and the Saudi Pro League.