Manchester City are keen on bolstering their midfield options in the summer are looking at Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic for a move.
According to a report by Spanish publication Don Balon, Ivan Rakitic is the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Premier League winners are eager to improve the core of their squad, and are looking at the Croat in order to improve their chances in the Champions League next season.
Rakitic has made a significant step-up in his career during a productive four-year stint at Barcelona. So much so, that he is now widely regarded as one of the most reliable midfielders in the world, having made the most appearances for the Blaugrana in the season gone by.
With 55 outings under his belt, Rakitic was an ever present whenever fit and available, and it is easy to see that he was a pivotal figure in Barcelona’s league and cup double. However, his future at Camp Nou has come under a cloud of late, with the Croat reportedly open to a new challenge. And, Manchester City are ready to provide him with that challenge.
The Citizens blew their competition away in the Premier League, romping to the title in April before eventually winning it by a record 19-point margin. Manchester City also broke a few more domestic records along the way while also triumphing in the Carabao Cup.
However, after coming up short in the Champions League and failing to win a historic treble, Pep Guardiola is determined to create a squad that can conquer everything in its path next season. As a result, the former Barcelona manager has identified midfield as an area that needs improving.
Guardiola currently has the likes of David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne as his options in midfield, with each of the players performing exceptionally well for Manchester City this season. But, he has already iterated that Silva will likely have a reduced role next season, accentuating the need to sign a midfielder.
Rakitic is, thus, a viable target for Manchester City, whose addition will add more dynamism in their midfield. As the player has shown for Barcelona, his tenacity can solidify midfield, which would come in handy in Europe, in particular. Not to mention the creative abilities that he possesses, which will help in build-up play.
Manchester City are ready to splash the big bucks in order to secure the player’s services, and the report suggests again that the 30-year-old may be open to leaving Barcelona for a new challenge, which has alerted the dressing room and club hierarchy.
It is unlikely that Barcelona will let a player like Rakitic go easily, if at all, considering his value to Ernesto Valverde’s squad. But, Manchester City are fancying their chances, and it remains to be seen if they are able to sign the Croatian international this summer.
