Chelsea have been drawn in by World Cup performances and could be set to finally get one over Barcelona in the transfer market. The Blues lost out to the Catalan giants multiple times over the summer with Ousmane Dembele, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowksi and Raphinha all ending up in Spain.
Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso made the move from London as well, whilst Cesar Azpilicueta was expected too but signed a new deal when other moves failed to come off. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang joined eventually but the saga of the summer with Frenkie de Jong's undecided future was another deal left behind.
With financial issues and on-field disruption in Europe, Barcelona could be there for the taking in the market in 2023, and Chelsea aren't ready to put past disputes behind them in a bid to secure their own targets.
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As well as a return to try and prize De Jong away from Camp Nou, Chelsea could yet beat the Catalan side to a key deal, with 90min reporting that Adrien Rabiot prefers a move to the Premier League.
The Frenchman has been an effective replacement for N'Golo Kante at the World Cup, occupying a midfield role alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Antoine Griezmann for Didier Deschamps. He has also benefited from Paul Pogba's lengthy injury issues as well, but the 27-year-old remains a valued member of the squad due to his experience.
Rabiot was offered to Chelsea last summer after a deal with Manchester United fell through, reportedly due to his wage demands, but he will once again be a free agent come the summer. For a player that has played for six clubs in his career, Rabiot has only ever moved on free deals or loans, including a brief spell at Manchester City as a teenager.
Since last summer he has flirted with the idea of another stint in England, and the former Paris Saint-Germain player could be the player to ensure Chelsea get one over Barcelona. Xavi's side managed to pick up Lewandowksi, Christensen and Franck Kessie for free last year, but the Blues are battling now to get to Rabiot first.
United themselves remain in contention, as do Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool, with the group of top four challengers all in regular contact with his representatives.
For Chelsea fans, securing a wise move is more important than solely getting a player also in-demand by Barcelona, but if they could do both then it would be a bit of payback at least.
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