According to a recent tweet by La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Nicolò Schira, Barcelona are willing to part ways with Ivan Rakitic and have offered the player to a whole host of clubs including Manchester United. However, it is understood that the Red Devils will face stiff competition from Inter Milan and AC Milan if they decide to move in for the Croatia international.
Schira’s tweet read (translated by the Daily Star), “The Barcelona has decided to sell Ivan Rakitic in January: his representatives have proposed it in recent weeks to Inter, Milan and Manchester United.”
Rakitic’s Struggles With Injuries and Lack Of Form At Catalonia
Rakitic’s current contract at the Nou Camp is set to expire in the summer of 2021, but Barca are hoping to move him on after his drop in form this season. The 31-year-old had to endure a stop-start season after struggling to get himself going in the La Liga due to a few injury problems. It feels like father time is catching up with him as he heads into the twilight years of his football career.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist has only got one assist to show for his efforts in 10 appearances for the Catalan giants this term across all competitions. He is currently sidelined due to an Achilles injury with his return date yet to be determined. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good as he will be able to reignite his career in European football.
At 31, the next two transfer windows would be Rakitic’s last chance to earn a move to a big club. Therefore, Man United could be an ideal destination for him as they need a player of the Croatia international’s skillset playing week in week out at Old Trafford.
What Does The Croatia International Offer On The Field?
Despite his struggles with injuries of late, Rakitic is still a wonderful distributor of the ball and hardly throws away possession for his team. Even though he has failed to find the back of the net this season, the Croatian playmaker has displayed in the recent past that he can contribute by scoring a few goals from midfield. The veteran midfield ace managed to net five goals for Barca last season so he might be able to replicate similar numbers after he recovers from his injury setback and gets a regular run of games under his belt.
Should Ole Move In For Rakitic?
The Red Devils are in dire need of more creativity from their midfielders so Rakitic will be a brilliant option for them in the short-term. He will be a fantastic low-risk acquisition who will bring a winning mentality to Solskjaer’s first-team. Therefore, the Norwegian manager should go all out to secure his signature when the transfer window reopens in January.
