Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
Rabiot's contract with the Ligue 1 champions will expire at the end of this season, and his future has been up in the air since he ruled out signing an extension at the Parc des Princes.
PSG have banished the 24-year-old from their first-team squad during the second half of the campaign, with his last appearance coming on December 11 and the club having handed him two separate suspensions since then.
A number of clubs have been credited with an interest in snapping Rabiot up on a free transfer, and a move to either Real Madrid or Barcelona was understood to be the player's preference.
However, Barcelona ended their pursuit earlier this year due to Rabiot's wage demands, and AS reports that Madrid have now followed suit in order to focus on other targets such as Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante.
A switch to the Premier League now looks more likely for the France international, although his desired wages may prove to be a stumbling block as they have in negotiations with other clubs.
Rabiot came through the ranks at PSG and has gone on to make 227 appearances for the club, but he looks certain to leave in acrimonious circumstances this summer.
Barney Corkhill
