Manchester United are among the clubs monitoring developments with Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who was part of the Croatia team that got to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final in Russia.
The stylish 30-year-old Croatian playmaker is happy at the Spanish champions but Barcelona may consider selling him this summer to help balance their books. Inter Milan are also confirmed admirers. The Croatia international’s current contract at the Nou Camp runs until 2021 but the Catalan giants do not intend to discuss a new deal with him, according to recent reports in Spain.
Rakitic has already dismissed rumours linking him with a move away from Barcelona and insisted last month he wants to open talks with the club about extending his contract. However, according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have already started negotiations with the La Liga leaders. Chief executive Giuseppe Marotta and director Piero Ausilio have already held talks with Barca and have ‘laid the foundations’ for a deal worth £34million. They had previously offered £30m but Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is holding out for £39m.
Rakitic reportedly earns a net salary of £4.7m at the Nou Camp and Inter are willing to offer him at least a three-year deal to move to the San Siro. His future in Spain was thrown into doubt following the capture of 21-year-old midfielder Frenkie de Jong for £65m from Ajax. But Rakitic said in January: ‘Since I’ve been here I do not know how many times I’ve left and I’m back. I’m more than happy here and my intention is to be here longer. The other day I gave the president a little nudge to see if he would start my renewal.’