Barcelona: Catalans identify ideal Rakitic replacement

Barcelona look to have found their man to replace the out of form and ageing Rakitic in Red Bull Salzburg’s blossoming team.

Outside the Nou Camp, there stands a statue in front of the stadium of a man with his arms stretched out and his feet pulled back ready to strike the ball. The statue is of legendary Barcelona player Laszlo Kubala from Hungary. He is the man who the Nou Camp was initially built for and the first Barcelona superstar.

Now it seems that another Hungarian might follow suit of Kubala and join the Catalans’ supremely talented side.

Barcelona’s midfield has languished since the departure of Xavi and Iniesta and while Ivan Rakitic has done well to serve in their absence, the Croatian midfielder has been out of form this season and it seems he may soon well be on his way out of the club. According to Spanish outlet Sport, Inter Milan are extremely interested in securing the Croatian’s services from Barca.

Frenkie De jong has been brought in during the summer to bring stability in midfield and the young Dutchman has settled in well thus far with the Catalans but he seems to be more of a long-term replacement for Xavi and Busquets rather than a direct replacement for Rakitic. Barcelona will have to find a replacement for the Croatian elsewhere.

And it seems Barcelona have already found their man; a blossoming talent in the industrial city of Salzburg in Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. According to Sport, the Catalans have lined up Szoboszlai of Red Bull Salzburg as a potential transfer.

The Hungarian is highly rated in world football right now and is one of the key members of Salzburg’s youthful side who have put in some impressive performances so far this season in the Champions League.

Szoboszlai is a quick, agile player with a great range of passing, technique and vision. He is a commanding figure at 1.86 metres and his direct style of play would provide the attacking glue from midfield which Barcelona have lacked at times this season.

The Hungarian also commands a fearsome shot and is known for his spectacular ability to strike a dead ball having scored several long-range free-kicks already in his fledgling career including his first international goal for Hungary earlier this season.

The Hungarian player’s agent Matyas Esterhazy speaking to Nemzeti Sport of Hungary confirmed that there are interests from top clubs in his client.

‘I can confirm the news that a number of European clubs from top championships, including elite clubs, are interested in my client.’

There were no mention of specific teams, but with Sport’s report of interest coming from Barcelona, it adds fuel to the fire of the possibility of a transfer.

Szoboszlai would no doubt have a major climb to make coming from the Austrian division to La Liga, but having already proved himself in the Champions League and at international level, he may find the transition to Barcelona a lot easier than many would expect.

He will certainly have no problems fitting in with Barca’s technical style of play and based on his performances to date he seems like the ideal player for the Catalan side.

What do you think will Szoboszlai sign for Barcelona?