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In a story that has been gaining steam for months, it now looks like PSG youngster Adrien Rabiot could be inching ever closer to a moving to Tottenham Hotspur. L'Equipe is reporting that Rabiot may be joining Tottenham on loan in January, presumably with an eye towards a permanent move should things in Paris not change.
Most notably, L'Equipe seems to confirm reports from Italy that Tottenham have already met with Rabiot's mother, Veronique, who is her son's de facto agent. If Spurs fans were annoyed by Alen Halilovic's father, than Mrs. Rabiot is going to make them apoplectic. Veronique has consistently been posturing for a move away from PSG and has often said that if her son does not see more playing time he will leave. She almost managed to force through a move to Roma over the summer, though Spurs and Arsenal were also rumored to be in the running, but something, obviously, scuttled the deal. If Spurs have, in fact, meet with Rabiot's mother, then they are already a step ahead of the competition.
Rabiot recently signed a contract extension with le Parisiens, which will keep him at the Parc des Princes until 2019. Rabiot did not play for PSG at all until his contract dispute was sorted out, but even with the new deal playing time is still limited, featuring only four times so far.
Rabiot certainly fits the profile of midfielder that Tottenham Hotspur are looking for. He's tall and rangy and excellent on the ball, and, best of all, he doesn't have a thigh tattoo. Rabiot is similar to Tottenham's Nabil Bentaleb in style, though the 19 year-old Frenchman is more capable in the air and is, perhaps, a bit more adventurous with his passing. Rabiot is, most importantly, equally capable on offense and defense and is athletic enough to handle the rigors of Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino's pressing style.
A January loan would be great for Rabiot and Spurs, particularly if it is a loan-to-buy deal. Getting another young star in the midfield, and one with a couple of seasons of top-flight football and Champions League experience under his belt, can only be good for Tottenham.