Adrien Rabiot has started all 2022 World Cup matches in France so far (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

French world champion Adrien Rabiot has admitted that despite ties to Chelsea and Newcastle, he still wants to go to the Premier League.

Midfielder Rabiot played in Qatar 2022 in the absence of N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, scoring Les Bleus’ first goal of the tournament and helping them reach the quarter-finals.

All this should help the 27-year-old defender secure a much-coveted transfer as his contract with Juventus expires at the end of the season.

Rabiot was due to leave Turin in the summer after Juventus signed a deal with Manchester United, but the move fell through after he failed to agree personal terms with the Red Devils.

Although he has since stated that he is happy with the transfer, the former PSG player still dreams of playing in England.

“I’ve always said I’d love to play in England in my career. I still have that desire,” Rabiot told The Athletic.

“I would like to be promoted in the Premier League. It’s the league, it’s the level of the game, that’s what attracts me the most. That’s in line with my qualities.

After replacing N’Golo Kante in the French team, can Rabiot do the same at Chelsea (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

“I don’t have a Premier League team in mind at the moment. I haven’t chosen a team or anything. It’s a general thing.”

In November it was reported that Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all considering a move for Rabiot, although interest from the latter two now appears to have waned.

The Graham Potter side is in the market for new midfielders, with the future of Kante and Jorginho in doubt, and the duo’s contracts also expire in 2023.

However, the Blues face competition ahead of the arrival of Rabiot from Newcastle, who, after a fantastic start to the season in which the Magpies finished third, are keen to add players with Champions League experience to their squad.

However, it may come as a surprise to some that the midfielder has played in England before, having spent a short spell in Manchester City’s academy.

“It was a very good experience. However, I didn’t play a full season,” Rabiot added.

“When I was there, everything went well. I really liked the atmosphere. It’s really only in England. It is different from France and Italy.”

Rabiot will then play for France as they face England on Saturday in a bid for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.