Croatian central midfielder Ivan Rakitic wants to leave Spain in January and Barcelona are willing to sell at a great price.
The midfield is perhaps the most problematic department of AC Milan. New arrivals Isamel Benancer and Rade Krunic have failed to crack the starting eleven while Lucas Paqueta, the creative force of the midfield, has underwhelmed so far. Kessie lacks continuity while Biglia and Bonaventura have passed their thirties.
AC Milan need to sign a top level midfielder in January, an experienced player that can lead a young squad. And an opportunity has presented itself in Barcelona start Ivan Rakitic. According to reports by Spanish newspaper Sport, Rakitic wants to leave Barcelona after five years at Camp Nou and the La Liga side are willing to sell. A transfer would please the Croatian star who demands more game time and Barcelona that risk devaluing the player even more.
Until last summer the former Schalke and Sevilla creative midfielder was valued at 70 million euros. A fair figure considered that Rakitic is among the most technical and complete midfielders of La Liga. However, after just 150 minutes played so far, the price tag of the 31-year-old has halved to €35 million. Plus his contract expires next season and Barca risk losing one of their top players for free.
At this figure the signing of Rakitic, who is no longer a regular starter under Valverde since De Jong’s arrival, becomes automatically feasible. Sports reports that AC Milan are among the clubs interested in Ivan. Other Serie A sides like Inter and Juventus are also keeping tabs on the World Cup finalist.
Ivan Rakitic could be an ideal solution for AC Milan. The Croatian midfielder could be the new regista of the squad with Bennacer move in the central midfielder position just like he played with Algeria in the African Cup. His salary of nearly €8 million per season is an obstacle for the Rossoneri but Zvonimir Boban could use his influence to lure him at San Siro. AC Milan need quality signings in January or Champions League football will remain again just a mirage.
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