Inter are keen to finalise a deal for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic in the next few weeks, Gazzetta dello Sport reported today.
Rakitic is keen on a move to the Nerazzurri this summer after seeing his chances of game-time drop with the arrival of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax.
Inter and Barcelona are in talks for the 31-year-old with a deal possible for a fee in the region of €40 million, and negotiations could accelerate next week after Inter president Steven Zhang intervened.
Zhang met with colleagues to ask for an update on proceedings following the 4-0 win over Rapid Vienna on Thursday, giving Inter the all-clear to step up their pursuit of Rakitic.
Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona are not convinced Inter can afford the Croatian but the Nerazzurri are believed to be optimistic about agreeing a deal.
“The reality is that Barcelona have spent too much money in recent years and now need to ‘slim down’,” Gazzetta said.
“Some critics would like them to sell players for higher prices but Rakitic’s stance is helping Inter.”
