Everton will not be put off by the asking price for midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
That’s according to the print version of Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) who claim that manager Carlo Ancelotti is insisting that his side wrap up a deal and bring the Frenchman to Goodison Park.
The Juventus player has been criticised for his off the pitch behaviour in the past but the source claims the Toffees boss is the only manager Rabiot has built a relationship with during his career.
The pair were together at PSG, where the 6 foot 2 midfielder played nine times under Ancelotti.
It was a short but sweet relationship, though it could prove extremely beneficial for Everton if they do make a move this summer.
Tuttosport suggests the Merseysiders will have to pay €30m (£26.7m) for his services.
GIVE ME SPORT’S Matt Dawson says...
For someone who’s become somewhat of a rebel off the pitch, it would be a gamble for Everton to sign Rabiot this summer.
Though, if anyone can get the six-capped French international to calm down it might be Ancelotti. If their reported good relationship is actually intact, it could be game-changing for Rabiot’s development.
This term, the 25-year-old’s played 24 times, putting in especially dominant performances in the Champions League.
For an indication of what he could bring to Goodison, he’s won 2.8 aerial duels per match in Europe while winning 2.3 tackles on average.
He is a modern powerhouse, capable of not only completing a tackle but retaining possession too – his pass success rate this season is 90.3%. That’s more than every Everton player to start a match this season.
No wonder Ancelotti wants him.