Barcelona risk losing Ivan Rakitic to Premier League giants
Ivan Rakitic wants a better contract at Barcelona a year after rejecting a lucrative offer from Paris Saint-Germain, or has advances waiting from England.
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is one of Ernesto Valverde’s most valued players and has played nearly the most minutes for the team over the course of this season. With 2824 minutes under his belt already, only Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are ahead of the midfielder in this sense and that only highlight’s Rakitic’s importance to the team.
The Croatia international has played an integral role in the club’s triumphs since signing for them in 2014 and won a treble in his first season most notably among other trophies. That said, Ivan Rakitic is definitely enjoying life in the Camp Nou thanks to the playing time and heed which he has earned, but from a monetary perspective, Rakitic is unhappy.
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To continue at the best level of footballing in Europe, the silver medallist at Russia 2018 denied a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the 2018 summer window. With Manchester United and Chelsea now hovering around him, the Croat wants a better pay. While Chelsea have been handed a transfer ban now, United still remains to be a great destination.
Ivan Rakitic’s professionalism makes him a hot property in Barcelona as well as abroad. The former Sevilla midfielder turns 31 in March, but his fitness is absolutely world-class and he does not end up missing too many games due to injuries. Moreover, Rakitic recovers quickly from match hangovers and hence, can be a very important player during the busy periods.
The Croatia international is highly respected in the Barcelona dressing room and is one of the fan favourites as well. His classy performances over the last five years make him a deserving recipient of a better contract, but the players and manager both respect the fact that Rakitic may want something different in his career- in terms of challenge and pay.
Obviously family plays a huge part in the decision-making of any human being. Ivan Rakitic’s wife is a Seville born lady and the couple has two children. Away from Spain, Milan seems to be an enticing destination for his missus whereas London and Manchester don’t look too attractive at this point in time. So Inter Milan could also be a prospect for Rakitic.
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Do you think Ivan Rakitic will leave Barcelona during the summer or will he be following Ernesto Valverde to an extension to his contract?