Naples: Adrien Rabiot targeted by Allegri, a complex file facing competition from Milan

While Massimiliano Allegri has not yet been officially named Napoli coach, the former Juventus technician has already expressed a clear priority to strengthen his future midfielder: Adrien Rabiot. Allegri, who must first free himself from his links with Milan before committing to Naples for two years, considers the Frenchman as a key element in allowing the club to return to the Champions League, by integrating him into a midfield which would also count on Lobotka and McTominay.

But the operation is far from simple. Financially, Rabiot's salary (currently 3.5 million euros net per season, promised to increase to 4 million next year) represents a challenge for the Neapolitan payroll. To make the arrival of Rabiot possible, Naples will have to reduce its costs, in particular via the potential sales of Anguissa and the resolution of the De Bruyne case.

Image

Furthermore, a major obstacle remains: convincing Milan, where Rabiot is under contract. The Lombard club would be inflexible and would demand up to 20 million euros according to Gazzetta dello Sport to release their 31-year-old player. However, the discussions could be facilitated by the privileged relationship between Allegri and Rabiot, like what we have seen with other coach-player tandems in European football.

Rabiot, who agreed last year to join Milan and lower his salary to find Allegri after a stint in Marseille, has already given his approval for a new collaboration with the Italian technician in Naples, favoring the sporting aspect over European competitions. If Allegri gets the job and initiates contact, Naples would then benefit from an advantage in finalizing this hot issue of the transalpine transfer window.

Image