There was once a time when it looked as if Adrien Rabiot (29) would become the captain of Paris Saint-Germain. Born in the suburbs of Paris, Rabiot made his first professional start for his hometown club in 2012 after graduating from their academy system.
And for a time it was a perfect match, the Parisian representing his city. However, by 2018 fractures began to grow when the midfielder in the final year of his contract refused to sign an extension with the club. Rabiot was frozen out of the side, making his final appearance in December, before leaving for Juventus as a free agent the following year.
The relationship between the France international and his formative club had turned bitter and was completely broken by the end, a fact that was sure to bring delight to PSG’s archrivals Olympique de Marseille who are now on the verge of securing his signature after he left Juventus this summer.
L’Équipe reports that one executive at Marseille allegedly claimed that “Adrien always loved Marseille as a child, during Le Classique’s he watched as a child his heart leaned towards Marseille.” A signing that is only likely to bring more heat to a fixture that has been rapidly heating up with the impressive performances from Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.