Manchester United have been linked with Croatian international Ivan Rakitic for quite some time and the latest reports suggest that the Red Devils moved in with an offer to lure the Barcelona midfielder.
Last month, Sport linked the Old Trafford club with the former Sevilla star. Moreover, earlier this month, Mundo Deportivo claimed that United are prepared for the departure of Pogba and are targeting Rakitic to improve their midfield.
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Now, Sport have claimed that the PL giants want to strengthen the midfield and Rakitic is the chosen one.
The Spanish outlet have mentioned that Man Utd launched a move worth 35 million euros for the La Liga star but the Catalan giants considered the offer as completely insufficient and they want at least 50 million euros (£44.7million) for their prized asset.
As far as United’s midfield is concerned, Ander Herrera has already left the club for free and the Spaniard has not been replaced as yet. Last summer’s signing Fred has not lived up to his huge price tag and as mentioned above, Pogba is linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
On the other hand, veteran defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic was inconsistent in the last campaign and McTominay was mostly a bench warmer. So, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must improve the quality in the center of the park.
Rakitic won the Europa League with Sevilla and has won every major prize with Barcelona. Last season, he made 51 appearances for the Spanish giants and directly contributed in 15 goals.
As far as his international career is concerned, so far, he has played over 100 games and scored 15 goals. Rakitic was a key member of the Croatian squad that reached the final of the World Cup last year.
So, he is a proven quality world class player, who has what it takes to improve any midfield department. The only issue in my eyes is that he will turn 32 next year. Therefore, if we do let Pogba, 26, leave this summer, then a top replacement should be lured, who would serve the club in the long run.
In your view, should United meet Barca’s asking price of 50 million euros to lure Rakitic?
Please rakitic is old. Just like Matic. Please sign young hungry players. Signing Maddison is better of than rakitic with that huge money. He has no sign-on value. Again sell Pogba and get in Maddison and Longstaff. With Pogba in the dressing room, bad influence on the younger ones. Please swap Lukaku with icardi. I rest my case.
Yes i feel United should meet up Barcelona’s price tag as long as Manchester United is concern we need his experience and skills . We have gotten younger players in the past and still no improvement, so would say yes let’s sign him.