TBR View: Arsenal have got to join race for bargain Barcelona star

Add as preferred source on Google

A whole host of European clubs are reportedly after Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic and now they been told they can sign the Croatian star for a bargain figure – and such a fee has got to convince Arsenal to join the race.

The Sun has claimed that clubs from Spain, England, Italy and France are interested in signing 32-year-old Rakitic this summer, with the former Sevilla and Schalke star set to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the Nou Camp.

The Covid-19 epidemic has prevented Rakitic from clocking up his 300th appearance in all competitions for Barcelona, having a hand in 75 goals during that time – scoring 34 and creating 41. The midfielder has played more than 600 times at club level.

Now, newspaper Marca claim that Barcelona will now allow Rakitic to leave the club after a six-year spell in red and blue for a fee of just £18.5million. Barcelona want the same fee they paid Sevilla – £15.8million up front, and £2.7million in bonuses.

Arsenal have got to be interested. The club lack both leadership and midfield quality. Dani Ceballos is also expected to return to Real Madrid after a disappointing loan spell, while Granit Xhaka has struggled once again in an Arsenal shirt.

Mikel Arteta has been linked with a number of central midfielders ahead of the summer window, including the likes of Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey. Olympiacos ace Mady Camara is also being linked, after playing against Arsenal in Europe.

But a move for a player of Rakitic’s calibre and leadership would not only energise the fanbase, but also provide Arteta with some much-needed experience and leadership. For such a bargain figure, Arsenal desperately need to sign Rakitic.