Rabiot is by no means a bad player. Rather the contrary. Even less so when he can be signed for free other than the obligatory sign-on bonus. I don't really understand the displeasure with this likely signing. Rabiot will turn 24 this April. Should he fail completely at Barça, which I doubt, there will be ample opportunity to sell him to the highest bidder. I completely understand why Abidal and the board are willing to take the risk. Signing Rabiot on a free this summer does not necessarily mean that De Jong or another midfielder will not be signed.
Signing Rabiot will probably mean that a 31 year old and declining Rakitic (who wants another contract extension and another wage increase) will likely be shown the door next summer.
Moreover by next summer a 30 year old and likewise declining Busquets will be a year older as will Vidal who will turn 32 this May. So I don't see why the arrival of Rabiot and another midfielder (say De Jong Or Ndombele) would be such an unrealistic scenario.
I don't know if people saw this (doubtful) here but Busquets gave an interview after the Tottenham game where he openly said that he has 2 or at most 3 seasons left at the highest level. So an exit by 2021 (at the most) is very likely in his case.
https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futb...ergio-lo-dejara-en-dos-o-tres-temporadas.html
As for Rabiot's supposed personality flaws it is something that can be solved and usually is dealt with well at Barça. He will start from a fresh and would likely want to prove the doubters wrong from the start. Him not featuring for France is a great thing as well if you ask me. I have no doubt that a change of scenario, playing in a much, much, much better domestic league on a weekly basis and for a genuine historic giant will do wonders for him.
Having said that I would be against his signing if it means that his likely arrival will block the possible arrival of a new midfielder in the mould of De Jong or Ndombele. If not I see no reason to already complain when Rabiot has yet to play a single minute for the club. To conclude it is a very low-risk deal for a quite talented player who by no means is the finished product yet. At least this is what I believe.
Lastly screwing QSG in the process is an added bonus. Even more so if they get "angry" and decide to waste a large sum of money (say 80 million euros) on Rakitic this upcoming summer. That would be a dream come true. Unlikely to occur though.
