Barcelona confirm Rabiot contact but deny breaking transfer rules

Barcelona have denied reaching an agreement to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot and dismissed allegations of impropriety in their transfer dealings.

The La Liga champions have been extensively linked with a move for Rabiot, whose contract at the Parc des Princes expires at the end of this season. However, Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus are also among the teams credited with an interest in the France international, who can start discussing a summer move with other clubs as of January.

The 23-year-old withdrew from talks over an extension and has not started for the runaway Ligue 1 leaders since December 5, although head coach Thomas Tuchel insists that is a footballing…