Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic took the first step to move away from the Camp Nou after undergoing medical testing with his former club, Sevilla. According to Marca, Sevilla is poised to land its third signing of the offseason after netting Suso by activating his purchase clause from AC Milan and inking Oscar Rodriguez, whom they signed from Real Madrid.
Ivan Rakitic would fill in the hole that Argentine talisman Ever Banega left for the club, which rose its sixth UEFA Europa League title only days ago.
The Croatian will reportedly sign a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year, pending on his performance on the pitch. Ivan Rakitic is expected to take a 50% wage cut upon joining Sevilla, according to Goal.
Sevilla is quickly lining out a plan, considering their season is bound to start on Sept. 24 in Budapest when they face UEFA Champions League winner Bayern Munich in the Super Cup.
The match is expected to host 20,000 fans, roughly at 30% capacity of the 67,000-seat Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary — a gambit at the international level that makes the first move of a Return to Play initiative for UEFA.
If it goes well, this could be the pioneer event that could give hope for further events in the future, as ticket sales are highly dependent on UEFA pulling this off successfully.
As for Ivan Rakitic, he was one of the four players new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman phoned up upon arriving at the Camp Nou, telling them their services will no longer be needed. Striker Luis Suárez was the first in order, followed by fellow South American Arturo Vidal, Rakitic, and Samuel Umtiti, who still has three years left on his deal with the club.
Sevilla is primed for a reunion with Rakitic, who sold for $19.8 million in 2014. In 310 appearances with Barcelona, Ivan Rakitic has scored 35 goals and netted 42 assists, eerily close to the 32 goals and 41 assists he managed in less than half the run time with Sevilla (149 appearances).
Follow Us
Subscribe