According to Diario Gol, Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is considering making the move to Manchester United at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
What’s the story?
United are expected to be in the market for at least one new central midfielder this summer due to the fact that Michael Carrick is approaching retirement and Marouane Fellaini is preparing to leave on a free transfer.
Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho wants a new midfielder to play alongside Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, and a number of players have been linked with a move.
According to Diario Gol, United have decided that they will make an attempt to sign Rakitic this summer, and the Croatia international is coming round to the idea of leaving Camp Nou.
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The report claims that the 30-year-old will hold talks with Barcelona chiefs before making up his mind, but is leaning towards a departure in this summer’s transfer window.
Would Rakitic be a good signing?
Rakitic was outstanding during his three and a half seasons at Sevilla – scoring 34 times in 149 appearances for the club before making the move to Barcelona in the summer of 2014.
The midfielder has been even more impressive at Camp Nou, however, with 30 goals in 208 appearances since arriving at the Catalan giants.
This term, Rakitic, who has also been linked with Arsenal, has managed four goals and four assists in 49 appearances for Barcelona, and his form has been key to the club’s outstanding La Liga campaign.
Barcelona were shocked in the Champions League by Roma on Tuesday night, however, and it is thought that there will be big changes this summer.
United need an established performer to play in a 4-3-3 formation alongside Matic and Pogba, and Rakitic’s all-round midfield game would be a perfect fit for the Red Devils.
According to transfermarkt.co.uk, Rakitic is valued at £45m, and that sounds about right when considering what price the Croatian may command this summer.