Chelsea have shown interest on Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
Earlier last week, Barcelona signed Frenkie De Jong for a fee of 90 million euros from Ajax which will see him move after the completion of this season. Adrien Rabiot is another midfielder who is targetted by Ernesto Valverde and could follow the Dutch International to Nou Camp soon or rather than later.
Currently, the Blaugrana have the midfielder of Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Artur Melo, Rafinha, Sergio Roberto, Arturo Vidal, Denis Suarez, and Philippe Coutinho. There were various reports quoting that the reigning Spanish Champions have promised that they would sell at least three midfielders in the forthcoming summer. Ivan Rakitic, Denis Suarez, and Rafinha are rumoured to be the players paving way for the new signing.
The Spanish publication Sport reported that Ernesto Valverde values the Croatian midfielder, but there has been interest on the midfielder who is increasingly likely to head the exit door in the upcoming summer window.
The headline of the paper reads ‘Chelsea for Rakitic’ as the Blues are interested in securing the midfielder if the Spanish club are willing to negotiate with them.
During the summer of 2018, Paris Saint-Germain bid 90 million euros for Barcelona man, but the five-time Champions League winners convinced him to stay as Ernesto Valverde sees the Croatian as an indispensable player. They said that they would deploy in starting eleven every game to cool down transfer talks last summer.
However, with the big money signing of De Jong, it is likely to see the club and player part ways this summer. Barcelona know that they are not likely to receive the same amount because the World Cup runner up would turn 31 next summer.
It is also understood that Manchester United and Arsenal are the other two clubs interested in securing the deal, although Maurizio Sarri’s club leads the way. The Italian sees the former Sevilla player as a leader who could provide a perfect balance to the Chelsea side.
Ivan Rakitic’s contract runs up to 2021 and an offer around 60 million in the summer window would be enough to seal the deal. There has been no report of interest from the French club.
Maurizio Sarri has missed out on the signings of Nicollo Barella and Leonardo Paredes in the winter transfer window. Matteo Kovacic has also been blowing hot and cold for the Blues this season which might force the Chelsea manager to look for options elsewhere.
There is no doubt that Ivan Rakitic is still at the top of the game and could prove to be a short-term valuable option for Chelsea.
