Chelsea and Newcastle in Adrien Rabiot transfer battle as Blues prepare £17m offer for Juventus star

CHELSEA are set to offer £17million for Juventus star Adrien Rabiot, according to reports.

Todd Boehly’s £4.25bn takeover is nearly completion after receiving Government and Premier League approval, meaning the Blues will soon be back in the market for new players.

And one potential target is French midfielder Rabiot.

Chelsea are eyeing a cut-price fee for the 27-year-old, according to .

The Italian outlet claim the Blues could table an offer of up to 17m for the former Paris-Saint Germain star who is out of contract in Turin at the end of next season.

Midfielders N’Golo Kante and Jorginho only have one-year left on their Chelsea deals themselves, meaning midfield reinforcements may be necessary at Stamford Bridge.

But money-bags Newcastle could rival the Blues to the signing of Rabiot.

The Magpies are also claimed to be keen with Eddie Howe set for another transfer window splurge.

Rabiot could depart Juve this summer as the Italian club eye a squad overhaul.

For the first time in 11 years the Old Lady finished a season without a trophy, and Max Allegri could only guide his side to fourth-place in Serie A.

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Rabiot made 45 appearances in all competitions but failed to register a single goal all season.

And Chelsea appear to be ready to pounce.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is set to be handed a £200m war chest this summer to fund new signings.

New owner Boehly wants the club to begin closing the gap to title challengers Manchester City and Liverpool, according to the .

A cut-price move for Rabiot would not damage the club’s kitty too much ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer at Stamford Bridge.