Man Utd ready to launch bid to sign £45m La Liga star, talks already underway

We’re now at the business end of the summer transfer window and managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Here, Man Utd are linked with Ivan Rakitic…

Manchester United are expected to launch a bid to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lines-up potential replacements for Paul Pogba, according to Sport.

The French international has been strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford ever since publicly stating his desire to seek a new challenge earlier in the summer. United insist they want to keep hold of Pogba but that hasn’t stopped Real Madrid from expressing their interest in taking him to Spain.

Sport claims Man Utd are now ‘getting closer’ to agreeing a mega deal with the La Liga giants and say Solskjaer has identified Rakitic as one of his top targets to replacement Pogba if his proposed move to the Bernabeu goes through.

The Spanish publication says United chiefs opened talks with Barcelona earlier this month to discuss a deal for Rakitic and while no formal offer has been put on the table yet, the Catalans expect one to arrive soon.

However, Manchester United aren’t the only club in the running for his signature as Sport claims Inter Milan are also showing an interest in signing the Croatian international this summer.

Rakitic has been one of the best central midfielders in Europe since joining Barcelona from Sevilla five years ago and he’s made over 250 appearances to help the club win a whole host of honours including four La Liga titles and the Champions League.

But his position in Ernesto Valverde’s starting eleven is under serious threat following the arrival of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax and Sport says Barcelona are ready to cash-in if the likes of United put £45m [€50m] on the table.

The 31-year-old midfielder may be approaching the final years of his career but he’s still got plenty to offer and I think Rakitic would be an excellent signing if United could lure him to Old Trafford.

READ –> Man Utd transfer news

However, any potential move rests on the future of Pogba and I still feel many United fans would rather see the Frenchman remain at the club even if it meant missing out on Rakitic.