Ivan Rakitic

[Rekin 835]

How do people feel about Ivan Rakitic?

Kroos quickly became a very popular transfer choice (for obvious reasons) but so far the public announcements of Guardiola, the chairman and Kroos himself all scream of negotiation tactics. Perhaps we could tempt him in the summer with a good offer, but I would categorize him as "very unlikely".

But there are other players out there that could offer something similar, if at a slightly lower level. Ivan Rakitic has been sublime in Sevilla this season and was very good last one aswell.
He is an excellent passer, and can score goals aswell (good shots). He is not a naturally defensive player but can play in the central midfield (positionally speaking he is similar to Kroos).

Yesterdays game against West Ham showed us that players such as Mikel and Ramires can be very limited against a certain kind of opposition, and in those scenarios (let's face it, it is neither the first nor the last time another team will park the bus against us) it could be essential to have a player that can penetrate defenses from the relative calm of the midfield.

He is 25 years old, will be 26 this year, so age is good. Experienced but still has a lot to give.
Price is hard to say, but rumours are that he could go for anything between £15-25m. Sevilla have sold key-players more than once if the price is right (Navas and Negredo went to City during the summer from there).
People might wonder how well he does against the better teams in La Liga. Well, if we look at the games against Barcelona and Real Madrid he has three goals and an assist this season, not too bad in other words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp3N5laiI3w

He is not an absolute top-top player in my opinion, but could be very useful. I would see him next to a more defensive player, Mikel or Matic against opposition that tends to park the bus.
If the recovery of MVG will not go too well, it mght just be worth looking into this gem. Having said that, I would propably not pay more than 20m euros for him.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Think he would be a great transfer.Matic-Rakitic has a nice ring to it as well

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I think he is better as CAM but would be good addition. But he isnt worth close to 40mio.

[Toli 977]

good player, but wont get us better significantly. would be a cabaye-esque transfer. no need at all for him. either sign someone who is world-class or who has the potential to be it, or just dont sign anyone (even though I want a DLP or someone who is at least kinda creative desperately)

[lucio 5,418]

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Pure quality.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

But still is more CAM than CM. He has two of Ibora, Cristoforo or Mbia always playing behid him, he is rarely paired with one of them in Pivot. His game might be similar to CM, but if he realy played there, he would never had all those goals and assists.

He drives ball from midfeld to opponent goal, but he is also protected by Ibora and Mbia. Here, he would only have Matic as his protection and would have to do different roles. Also, he is completely free-role at Sevilla, Jose will limit his game very likely and maybe he wont excell in that. But lets wait and see. If Kroos/Vidal/Pogba/Gundogan wont be available, Rakitic will be one of few good options.

Btw, isnt his release clause close to 40mio? Or did he sign extension with sevilla and lower his release clause (that was his demand; extending contract, but lowering release clause).

[Hariz Cirak 12]

A great player, showed his skill against Real Madrid. Matic / Rakitic would be a nice duo!

[LAM09 6,744]

I think he would be a quality signing, but we are in more need for a CMF, instead of a AMF.

[drog.ba 239]

Looked very good tonight vs porto,might be too attacking a midfield partner for Matic in Mourinho's eyes though

[The Skipper 20,593]

Looked very good tonight vs porto,might be too attacking a midfield partner for Matic in Mourinho's eyes though

Personally I think he'd struggle with the pace of the PL.

[iseah100 5,612]

Personally I think he'd struggle with the pace of the PL.

No way.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

This guy just continues to amaze me with his performances. He ticks all the boxes we want in a midfielder. He has played quite a bit as an attacking midfielder for Sevilla this season but has also impressed playing a deeper role as a central midfielder. I'm also sure he can play on the right side of the midfield, so he can cover many positions we lack quality in. He is a great passer, goal-scorer and set-piece taker (his free-kicks are world-class).

I've watched him quite a bit this season and he is a world-class midfielder though he doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He is one of the best players in La liga. Man United, Inter, Arsenal and Liverpool are interested alongside Madrid. I suggest we put in a bid for him in the summer.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Having said that, imagine a Serbian and Croatian in our pivot ..................

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

Hes an all-round midfield player can pass, tackle, shoot, create chances and all that other stuff, sure on paper it seems he plays as a 10 but he doesn't. He really has a free role in Sevilla's system and can go wherever he wants to be like in that 10 position or come deeper and play as a deep lying midfield player. He would do a job next to Matic for sure plus he has a good engine and can get up and down with ease. Really impressed me against Valencia earlier as well as Bacca, would be an interesting buy.

[Mathewe 65]

I think he'd be an excellent signing. We'd also have a dead ball specialist in our ranks again which would be ideal.

[LAM09 6,744]

He is a good player, but I don't see him ever coming to the Prem. He loves Spain too much, and RM are in talks with him. More chance of him going there, or staying at Sevilla.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

He is a good player, but I don't see him ever coming to the Prem. He loves Spain too much, and RM are in talks with him. More chance of him going there, or staying at Sevilla.

There really is no space for him in either the midfield of Barcelona or Madrid.