FC Barcelona are reportedly primed to offer midfielder Ivan Rakitic a new contract until the end of the 2021 season
According to Albert Masnou of Sport, Spanish side FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with midfielder Ivan Rakitic to make him put pen to paper on an extension that will see him stay on at Camp Nou until the 2020-21 season.
Rakitic’s agent Arturo Canales was in discussions with Barcelona’s technical director since the end of 2016, and now, after a couple of months, the two parties have appeared to reach an agreement, and the deal is subject to an official announcement.
There has been instability in the club hierarchy, particularly due to the erratic performances of the team on the field of play. Manager Luis Enrique is under a tremendous amount of pressure, and once the issue regarding his future is cleared out, the club could make an official announcement.
The Sport report states that Barcelona are likely to announce the contract signing in the month of March, when FIFA calls for an international break from domestic football. It will also see the player receive a considerable hike in wages, and he will be hoping to stay at the club until he turns 33.
In the summer transfer window, the Croatian midfield maestro was linked with a host of top European sides as he was reportedly disgruntled with life at the Camp Nou. However, he squashed all rumours, by rejecting all approaches made by the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Serie A side Juventus, too, were keeping an eye on the midfielder, and deemed him as a perfect fit in their possession-based system in Italy. They would have loved to welcome the 28-year-old to the Juventus Stadium, but Barcelona rejected the bid, no questions asked.
Despite reports surfacing in the month of December stating that the player was unhappy with the treatment he had been receiving from manager Luis Enrique, all appears to have been cleared now.
The Barcelona faithful will also rejoice at the fact that one of their star midfielders has pledged his future to the club. Since his initial €18 million move from Sevilla in 2014, Rakitic has quickly gone on to become a key first-team figure at the Blaugrana club.
