'He's a boy I want to keep' - Blanc keen for Rabiot stay

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has been heavily linked with a loan move to Tottenham but the ex-Manchester United defender wants to retain the services of the 19-year-old

Laurent Blanc insists he is keen to keep Adrien Rabiot at Paris Saint-Germain amid reported interest from Tottenham.

The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with a loan move to White Hart Lane in recent weeks, despite signing a new contract in October that ties him to PSG until 2019.

However, the PSG boss has now revealed that he wants to retain Rabiot’s services, though he concedes the issue is a "complicated" one for the midfielder.

"I've always said he's a boy I want to keep,” Blanc told reporters. “My position is clear. He re-signed. He is part of the future of PSG. He is doing well after the first half of the season but it's very complicated on a personal level for him.

“I would like to keep him but this is a very complicated issue. I'll see if Adrian will be with us or not at the end of January. I want to keep him in the squad. I cannot be clearer."

Rabiot has made just six appearances in all competitions this season but Blanc insists he rates the midfielder highly.

"Until December, I relied heavily on him. I did not hesitate to start him against Metz. He is a player I like very much and who should understand that he has to work hard," he added.

"There aren't many players who start in a big European club at his age. I don't think about a departure on January."