Ivan Rakitic has been at Barcelona for five years but his intelligent midfield skills are interesting Inter Milan. Photo By הגמל התימני (Wiki Commons) [ CC License

Croatian midfield star wanted in Italy

Barcelona face a shake-up after UCL, Copa del Rey failures

Dutch youngster de Jong is on the way to Camp Nou

Barcelona’s midfield craftsman Ivan Rakitic is heading towards a $73 million move to Italy with Internazionale of Milan despite insisting he wants to fights for his place at Camp Nou.

Croatian playmaker Rakitic may be seen as expendable at 31-years-old and is tipped to be the man to make way in Catalonia for the arrival of young Dutch star Frenkie de Jong.

Ivan Rakitic Transfer Odds

Club on August 9th Odds Inter Milan EVEN Juventus +600 Paris St Germain +800 Manchester United +1000 Manchester City +4000 Chelsea +5000 Tottenham Hotspur +5000 Liverpool +5000

*Odds taken at 05/30/20198

Rakitic is rated at EVEN odds to make the switch to the San Siro with Inter as Barcelona begin to re-group following their disappointing end to the 2018-19 season.

Conte Tipped for Inter Manager Job

Former Juventus, Chelsea and Italy boss Antonio Conte is set to take over as manager of Inter and is said to see Rakitic as the kind of intelligent, creative player around whom he can build a revival.

Ivan Rakitić on Frenkie de Jong: "I'm glad Barca signed de Jong. First of all, he's a young kid who plays great football. Every good player can come to Barca, I'll be happy. But, I'm convinced de Jong is not coming for my position, because it's occupied." pic.twitter.com/WNSIKwGI60 — Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) May 22, 2019

Italian champions Juventus are fancied at +600 to land Rakitic whom they could see as a key component of a renewed attempt to make a major impact in the Champions League after the departure of manager Massimiliano Allegri.

Paris Saint-Germain also need fresh blood to boost their standing in the Champions League and are seen at +800 to land Croatia’s World Cup semifinalist Rakitic this summer.

Manchester United require a major new injection of talent and are seen at +1000 for Rakitic’s signature. Then it is Manchester City at +4000 with fellow EPL clubs Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool all at +5000.

Manchester United require a major new injection of talent and will make a good value outside bet to muscle in on the deal at +1000 for Rakitic’s signature. Then it is Manchester City at +4000 with fellow EPL clubs Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool all at +5000.

Contracted Until 2021

Rakitic has a contract at Barcelona until 2021. But there is to be a shake-up after their exit against Liverpool in the Champions League semifinal and their shock defeat by Valencia in the final of the Copa del Rey.

Strong reports this evening that United are trying to sign Ivan Rakitic as a replacement for Ander Herrera. Jose Mourinho was full of high praise for him just months ago ? https://t.co/Cp242iz8u4 — The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) May 21, 2019

Their only prize in the season just finished was the La Liga title which is unlikely to be enough to save the job of coach Ernesto Valverde despite the fact they finished 19 points ahead of their bitter rivals Real Madrid, who were third and won nothing at all.

Rakitic signed for Barcelona from Sevilla in 2014. He has won four league titles, four Spanish Cups and the Champions League during his time with the club.

The hot property 21-year-old Dutch midfielder de Jong has already been signed by Barcelona for next season. They are also said to favor fellow midfielder Arturo Vidal and Artur Melo over Rakitic.

Rakitic signed for Barcelona from Sevilla in 2014. He has won four league titles, four Spanish Cups and the Champions League during his time with the club.

He has scored 35 goals in 265 appearances for the club.

Pick: Rakitic to Manchester United +1000