Adrien Rabiot spoke about his future while on international duty with France, insisting he has ‘not decided’ whether to remain at Juventus, but hopes Paul Pogba can see his ban reduced.
The midfielder had also seen his contract run down last season, only to sign a one-year extension for the Bianconeri, despite the fact they were excluded from European competition over financial irregularities.
While links are back in the media for the likes of PSG, Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid, Rabiot admits he is still considering all the options, including another Juve extension.
“I have not decided anything regarding my future. It is true that last season I remained at Juventus knowing full well that we wouldn’t participate in European competition. That was my choice,” said Rabiot in a press conference while on international duty with France.
“Next season we are due to participate in the Champions League and the Club World Cup. So these are elements in my thoughts, but I have not made any decisions yet.”
Considering the contract only runs to June 30, Juve are understandably in a rush to get something down on paper.
“I will wait to the end of the season, then we will discuss it with the club and at that moment I will see. For now, I am trying to remain concentrated, to recover from my injury, end the season well and prepare for the Euros. I am in no rush to make a decision.
“I must reflect carefully, seeing as I am reaching an important age in my career. I feel at my peak and it will be important to make the right choice. I think it is best to make a decision before the Euros, so I can focus on that.”
What Rabiot did manage to rule out was a return to Paris Saint-Germain, who had been one of the contenders for his signature.
“Since I went to Juve, every year my name gets associated with PSG. On the one hand, it’s flattering, but considering the way things ended there, it seems unlikely. I can never close the door completely to anything, but this will not be my priority.”
Rabiot is teammates with Pogba at both Juventus and France, but the midfielder has been hit with a lengthy four-year ban for failing a doping test last summer.
“It’s a pity what happened. We talk regularly, he was in Turin recently. I know that he was waiting for the precise wording of the suspension so that he could start an appeal. I hope the ban will be reduced. From what he told me, four years is excessive.”
🚨 Adrien Rabiot s'exprime sur le cas Pogba :
« Paul, c'est dommage ce qu'il se passe ! On est en contact, on se parle régulièrement. […]
𝗝'𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲̀𝗿𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗹𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗿𝗲́𝗱𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲. 🗣🇫🇷 »
(conférence de presse)pic.twitter.com/0EMbU7pKcu
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) March 19, 2024