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Manchester City transfer news: Barcelona to sell Ivan Rakitic to pay for Lionel Messi’s new contract

Catalan club open door for Pep Guardiola to swoop for Croatian star, and will also get rid of Arda Turan

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MANCHESTER CITY could swoop for Ivan Rakitic as Barcelona look to offload players to pay for Lionel Messi's new contract.

According to , Arda Turan will definitely be leaving the club, with China a likely destination, while Ivan Rakitic could be allowed to leave for the right price.

Rakitic could leave Barcelona for the right price
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Rakitic could leave Barcelona for the right priceCredit: AP:Associated Press

Pep Guardiola is desperate for a creative midfield replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, and Rakitic fits the bill perfectly.

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El Confidencial reporter Alonso Castilla wrote: "He's lost weight in the team in recent times, when last year he was practically untouchable due to his tremendous work rate.

"But now his situation is not the same and Man City appear on the horizon for the Croatian central midfielder.

"Pep Guardiola has sounded him out as the perfect substitute for the injured Gundogan.

"It is known that the footballer will not have any problem changing his shirt if there is extra money to be earned."

Barcelona need to severely reduce their wage bill to pay for Messi's new contract
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Barcelona need to severely reduce their wage bill to pay for Messi's new contractCredit: EPA
Manchester United were believed to be favourites to sign Rakitic
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Manchester United were believed to be favourites to sign RakiticCredit: AP:Associated Press
But Man City have a more pressing need for the player following Ilkay Gundogan's injury
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But Man City have a more pressing need for the player following Ilkay Gundogan's injuryCredit: Reuters
Arda Turan is also set to leave Barcelona
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Arda Turan is also set to leave BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press

Castilla added that Atletico Madrid could make another move for the player.

Diego Simeone's side had agreed terms with Rakitic when he was at Sevilla before he was poached at the eleventh hour by Barcelona.

Lionel Messi holds all the cards in his upcoming renewal talks with Barcelona as his contract expires in less than 18 months.

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On the pending renegotiation, Castilla wrote: "[Barcelona president] Josep María Bartomeu and those who manage the club finances have already calculated [what they need to do] to square the accounts and tie the [player] from Rosario to a new contract.

"An operation has taken shape in recent moments to cut millions of euros [from Barca's budget] and allow the club to fund the new deal which they will present to their star [Messi]."

Man United were believed to be the frontrunners for the Croatian but the injury to Ilkay Gundogan means rivals City could be more determined to meet his demands.

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