Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is ‘close to sealing switch to Manchester City’
The Croatia star was left out of Barca's squad yesterday for 'technical reasons' and reports in his homeland suggest move is imminent
IVAN RAKITIC is close to sealing an astonishing switch to Manchester City, according to reports.
The Barcelona midfielder was left out of their squad yesterday due to "technical reasons".
And the suggestion from news sources in the playmaker's homeland Croatia is that he could finally be about to link up with Pep Guardiola.
Read SunSport's profile of Manchester City target Ivan Rakitic
That would, of course, put an end once and for all to Jose Mourinho's interest in the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey winner.
Rakitic has gone on record stating his admiration for the current City boss.
The 28-year-old moved to the Nou Camp from Sevilla in the summer of 2014, a year after Guardiola's departure for Bayern Munich.
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Asked about Guardiola last November, Rakitic said: "When I took the No 4 jersey it was purely because of him. It was a great opportunity. I took it with both hands. He was one of the best in the world. Your team-mates tell you all about him.
"I hope he is really successful in the future after tomorrow. It would be great to play for him one day. If I don’t, he can come for a coffee!"
Juventus and both Milan sides are interested in Rakitic, as well as big-spending Paris Saint-Germain.
Rakitic has been in and out of Luis Enrique's side in recent weeks with summer signings Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez being preferred at his expense.
