Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who has also been linked with Manchester United.
According to a report fom Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur are considering making a move for experienced Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic in the summer transfer window. The Croatian international has previously been linked with Manchester United as well.
Rakitic’s future at Barcelona has been a subject of speculation since last summer. The former Sevilla man had been linked with an exit from Camp Nou, but decided to stay put and fight for his place in the team. However, things haven’t improved a great deal for the Croatian in terms of regular playing time, with him starting just ten league games this term.
Speculations of an exit are once again doing the rounds with Barcelona in need of generating funds to sign some of their primary transfer targets in the summer. Moreover, with Rakitic set to enter the final year of his contract, the Catalans risk losing him for nothing if they fail to cash in on him now.
Manchester United had been credited with an interest in the 32-year-old midfielder ahead of the January transfer window. The Red Devils’ season has seen a drastic improvement since then, but with question marks remaining over the future of Paul Pogba, a new midfielder is something that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might want to add to his ranks.
However, Rakitic doesn’t really into the transfer policy that Manchester United have followed of late, with Solskjaer focusing on younger, homegrown players. But given his experience at the top level, Rakitic could be a decent stop-gap option.
Tottenham, too, are interested in signing the Croatian internationa. Having endured a difficult season, Spurs were forced into a managerial change as Jose Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino last November. But things have failed to improve after the new manager bounce early on, leaving them staring at the possibility of missing out on European football.
Tanguy Ndombele has failed to make an impression in his debut season in England, while Eric Dier has stated that he wants to move into the centre-back role permanently. This would leave Mourinho short on options in the middle of the park, especially with Ndombele’s future uncertain amid interest from Barcelona themselves.
The report further adds that along with Tottenham, the likes of Juventus, Napoli, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are all interested in securing the services of Rakitic ahead of next season.
Given his status in the team and his contract situation, it is increasingly looking like Rakitic will be on his way out of Barcelona this summer. It now remains to be seen where the seasoned campaigner ends up come next season.
