Manchester United eyeing move for Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic
Manchester United need to strengthen their midfield this summer.
It’s claimed by Spanish media that Manchester United are eyeing move for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
The 31-year-old has been subject to interest from various European clubs.
The Croatia international was signed by Barcelona in July 2014 from Sevilla for a fee of 18 million euros. The 31-year-old has a contract until 2021 with the club.
This season, Rakitic has scored 5 goals and provided 9 assists in 52 appearances for Barcelona.
His record for Croatia is also impressive. Ivan Rakitic has scored 15 goals in 104 matches for Croatia at senior level.
The Croatia international is thought to perfectly fit the profile of midfield player Ole Gunnar Solskjær wants to target in the summer transfer window.
Ivan Rakitic would provide a good variety to Manchester United’s midfield.
According to Football Espana, “Manchester United are willing to rival Inter in a bid to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, The Croatian international’s current deal at the Camp Nou runs through until the summer of 2021 although Barca signed midfielders Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo last summer and have a deal to sign Frenkie De Jong from Ajax this summer. Reports say the club had agreed a €90m sale to Paris Saint-Germain last summer but this was rejected by the player himself. Barca do not want to increase the player’s salary at the club despite rejecting an approach from the Parisians last summer – with Rakitic reportedly claiming he had been promised a salary raise. Rakitic has won his fourth league title in five years with Barca. The Croatian has also won four Copa del Rey titles and the Champions League in that time, scoring 35 goals across 266 appearances.”
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A big money bid from Manchester United could tempt Barcelona into selling their prized asset.
Signing the 31-year-old in the summer transfer window would be a masterstroke from Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Stylistically, he would be a great fit in Manchester United.
How strong that interest is and whether Manchester United will make a move remains to be seen but it is certainly one worth keeping an eye on.
