Inter and Barcelona have started negotiations for Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic, according to a report from today’s paper edition of the Spanish newspaper Sport.
The report details how the Blaugrana are continuing to ask for €35 million for the 31-year-old, but the good relationship between the two clubs may help the negotiations run more smoothly. Rakitic, who is contracted to Barcelona until 2021, has featured lightly for the Catalan club this season as coach Ernesto Valverde seems to be slowly phasing out the World Cup finalist out of the team’s project.
Therefore, the report adds, Inter have the opportunity to sign the player in the upcoming January transfer window. Furthermore, Barcelona’s interest in Inter’s new star midfielder Stefano Sensi may push the Blaugrana to accept a lower price now for the Croatian’s signature, in order to maintain the positive business relationship. Rakitic has failed to play a full 90 minutes for the Blaugrana so far this season.
