Chelsea are very much still in the race for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to reports in Spain.

The Frenchman was expected to make the move to Barcelona but the Catalan club signed Frenkie de Jong from Ajax instead.

It means the way is clear for the Blues if they want to sign Rabiot. The Frenchman, who has also been linked with Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool, is out of contract in the summer.

Assistant manager Gianfranco Zola revealed yesterday that Chelsea are looking for a replacement for Cesc Fabregas:

“It’s certainly an area where we could do, but it could be a problem if we have an injury. I think there is a good understanding between Maurizio and Marina.”

Zenit St Petersburg’s Leandro Paredes was being tipped to make the move to Stamford Bridge but Paris Saint-Germain are now close to sealing a €40m deal for the Argentine.

Rabiot has been suggested as a potential alternative target with the 23-year-old believed to suit Maurizio Sarri’s style of play.

Whether the Blues consider the France international as Fabregas’s replacement, we shall see in the coming days.