I wouldn't rule it out completely. Once the club realise Gundogan and Kroos are not happening (must surely be pretty close to this conclusion by now), our options for creative central midfielders start to become pretty limited. Hererra would be great, but may want to experience CL football with Bilbao, Pjanic or Koke would probably be very difficult, and then who's left? Rakitic might be our best (and possibly only) option.
Ivan Rakitic
- Thread starter Drifter
- Start date
- Status
I wouldn't rule it out completely. Once the club realise Gundogan and Kroos are not happening (must surely be pretty close to this conclusion by now), our options for creative central midfielders start to become pretty limited. Hererra would be great, but may want to experience CL football with Bilbao, Pjanic or Koke would probably be very difficult, and then who's left? Rakitic might be our best (and possibly only) option.
I bring contract news.
It's believed he's very close to signing a new contract with Sevilla €6m/year (gross) pay and running until 2018.
However, and this is where the muppet fun begins, part of the deal will be a lower release clause. The negotiations got stuck on this point a few weeks ago - the club wanted €30m / the player €15m.
It now looks like they're very close to agreeing a deal on the clause, with it set to something like €20m until the end of July, €30m beyond.
It's believed he's very close to signing a new contract with Sevilla €6m/year (gross) pay and running until 2018.
However, and this is where the muppet fun begins, part of the deal will be a lower release clause. The negotiations got stuck on this point a few weeks ago - the club wanted €30m / the player €15m.
It now looks like they're very close to agreeing a deal on the clause, with it set to something like €20m until the end of July, €30m beyond.
Any sources on that?
Why would his agent not be linking him with us and others, if they're in negotiation? Unless he is really happy and would not consider leaving, but that would conflict with requesting a release clause.
There are various versions in the Sevilla papers. No quotes, just reporters who know the club.
http://www.orgullodenervion.com/not...itic-pendiente-clausula-baja-hasta-junio.html
That one's saying the "cut price" clause might only be in place until the end of June. Which gives the club longer to go shopping - they were upset because they lost Kondogbia late in the window last year.
His release clause now is 40m and he has a year left on his contract. If Sevilla play hard ball, then he and his agent will do the same and he'll leave as a free agent next year.
If instead he negotiates a lower release clause, he'll still know he can leave if the right club come in, but Sevilla won't lose him for free.
It's not an unusual negotiation - the same thing was done with Navas and Negredo.
Grabbing him and Carvalho would be 
Yeah, it just seems rather quiet. It seems like every man and his dog spout how much someone else is willing to pay (often United), to strengthen wage negotiations.
Is this how players will ensure a bigger slice of the pie in future? Lower transfer fees - higher wages. I dunno. Would have expected a lot of clubs being linked with him.
If Rakitic moves in the summer and we somehow don't become interested. Would be another farce.
He is the type of player we should be looking to get, very good, on the verge of greatness and gettable . I want Kroos/Fabregas as much as the next man but we are more likely to be driven around in circles than get them and if they somehow be made available then it's guaranteed that PSG, City, Chelsea and Real will make things impossible .
How did he play tonight? And did he play cm? I have read in football news that he often plays behind the striker.
In the big games they've used him behind the striker a lot at least in the 2nd half of the season, he's their best at keeping the ball and springing counter attacks. They don't have anyone else who could play that role
Indeed. For those players you need to make big big offers to keep other clubs away. Having said that, a player of Rakitic's level and age will also attract suitors.
Hopefully he would attract the likes of Tottenham rather than Man City though. He is immensely talented though, so who knows.
I think it's an injustice to him to say Tottenham. There would be big clubs after him but they'd be more space.
Don't get me wrong, I rate him incredibly highly and think that he would be great here.
It was more me saying that he is incredibly underrated in England, considering he has barely been spoken about by any fans.
He just hasn't been drooled over to the same extent that Gundogan, Pogba, Kroos, etc have, even though he is definitely up there. But of course that doesn't equate to whether a club is interested or not.
He's said a few times that he doesn't want to leave Spain. He's angling for a move to one of the top 3 Spanish sides. I'd love him at United, proper love. But I just don't see him moving away from Spain. Which is highly frustrating!
They were jizzing over him after the game, and ridiculing Pig.
You are fecking United ffs! I am not saying you should not go for Rakitic, but this attitude sounds bizarre to me. Now is the time for you to go after some proper big names in football. To be certain, that means paying top dollar, but you are in fact loaded with cash, you shouldn't leave it all to the Glazers.
Truly wonderful technique, would love him here but I wouldn't be surprised to see Barca snap him up, seems right up their alley.
Not really seen him apart from youtube but some of his long passes and free kicks look awesome.
First time i've seen him play yesterday against Valencia he was played behind the striker then. Hes been given the freedom to roam around wherever he likes I saw him play centrally, on the left and on the right. He can deliver good set pieces and long balls but what I like the most about him is that he is always looking for a killer pass and is'nt afraid of taking the risk. The pass doesnt always go through but when it does its pretty much a clear chance on goal. He showed good positional awareness and vision always looking over his shoulder to see where his team mates are. I also like the fact that his is quite mobile which is a good quality to have for the PL.
I need to see more from him to pass judgement but I like what I saw so far.
I need to see more from him to pass judgement but I like what I saw so far.
Yeah while thats true, he'll just end up at a top club elsewhere. He'll have plenty of options even if the English clubs ignore him
Ekeke seems to have been right, as Real Madrid are supposedly incredibly close to wrapping up his signing.
Have to think Khedira might be available now. In the German WC squad, so the rehab can't be going so badly. He'd be great here. Mourinho liked him, and Chelsea need someone to play with Matic. They'd be really tough to play against. Arsenal should go in for him, too, but you never know with Wenger. Khedira-Ramsey-Ozil looks wonderful going forward as a midfield trio, at least. Maybe Monaco or Citeh too.
Have to think Khedira might be available now. In the German WC squad, so the rehab can't be going so badly. He'd be great here. Mourinho liked him, and Chelsea need someone to play with Matic. They'd be really tough to play against. Arsenal should go in for him, too, but you never know with Wenger. Khedira-Ramsey-Ozil looks wonderful going forward as a midfield trio, at least. Maybe Monaco or Citeh too.
That Modric-Rakitic pairing
Someone is definitely leaving if the rumours are true. Probably won't be Illaramendi as he is Spanish, another German might be shipped out this summer then. Can see lots of teams in for him.
Someone is definitely leaving if the rumours are true. Probably won't be Illaramendi as he is Spanish, another German might be shipped out this summer then. Can see lots of teams in for him.
Whoever is in for him, really need to act now. He is a player that will really get noticed in Brazil.
Worst thing is, he'l be an absolute steal as well.
It has to be Khedira leaving, we should steer clear though unless we're selling quite a few CMs.
It has to be Khedira leaving, we should steer clear though unless we're selling quite a few CMs.
A Modric-Rakitic midfield is not what you would expect at Real. Not that Rakitic is not a quality player but I would have thought they go for Pogba.
He'l be squad player there imo.
In that case it's a good purchase but you wonder why did they buy Illaramendi for 30 million.
Getting a young Spanish core. Illara, Carvajal, Isco, Jese, etc. It still was a really expensive buy though, 30mil
. Its Real though. No surprises there.If he goes to Madrid what odds Liverpool try to resign Xabi Alonso
That'll be Alonso's replacement. Properly gutted, I was hoping we'd sign him somehow but ever since December it was obvious he didn't want to leave Spain. He's exactly the player we need
Modric - Rakitic would actually work very well as Modric has sharpened his defensive game and taken more responsibility from Alonso this season, rather than under Mourinho where he was an attacking player in the hole. Rakitic has played that role for Sevilla with huge success this season and at 6 feet and fairly well built he can make up for Modric's height and strength deficiencies.
At the same time Illaramendi has finally played a few good games recently so maybe he'll eventually be able to compete with the other two
At the same time Illaramendi has finally played a few good games recently so maybe he'll eventually be able to compete with the other two
Wassap Dave.
A decent bid for Rakitic last summer and we'd have got him.....Dithering Dave felt he had to scout world class players 100 times over the course of 3 years before deciding on if they were right though so we must out on so many good options last year like Strootman, Pjanic, Rakitic etc
He's said he doesn't want to leave Spain. Same scenario with Drmic who doesn't want to leave Germany despite Arsenal wanting him. So no we wouldn't of.
Well things like that could easily change if you get the right offer. Last summer no big Spanish clubs were trying to sign him, so a big offer from the champions of England could have persuaded him to leave the country even if he's happy there.
Amazing how so many people know the ins and outs of our and other club's transfer business. Truly.
- Status