Ivan Rakitic is likely going to be a name mentioned repeatedly this summer.
A couple of days ago we covered claims from Spain about interest from Manchester United in the Barcelona midfielder. Catalan newspaper Sport reported there’d been ‘movement’ from the Premier League club on a potential transfer for the Croatian.
There was ‘no doubt’ from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that Rakitic would be an important part of the team if he arrived.
From the 31 year old’s perspective, it was explained he’s not too keen on leaving his club and would need a big financial offer to do so. It’s also been thought Ernesto Valverde wouldn’t encourage the sale either.
Sport have covered claims from the Spanish radio station, and it’s stated Valverde would now accept the player’s sale as long as he can bring a replacement in.
Manchester United get a mention, and there’s nothing more to add than what Sport had already claimed.
Rakitic is an excellent player and would improve Solskjaer’s side, but his age is certainly a negative. Barca are likely to want more money than they’d spend on a replacement, and the player would want a big and long contract.
His current deal expires in June 2021, so he’d probably want a contract until at least 2022, which would take him to the age of 34.
