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Gabi’s successor at Atlético slowly emerges as top Barcelona target

By Chiranjib Ghosh

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 9: Rodri of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico Madrid v Leganes at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on March 9, 2019 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 9: Rodri of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico Madrid v Leganes at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on March 9, 2019 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona see Rodri as a replacement for the outgoing Ivan Rakitić

Ivan Rakitić’s contract situation is far from coming to a close. The Croatian playmaker had rejected an offer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer in hopes of getting a new deal, but Barcelona have not kept their promise being reaffirming his importance in the squad.

Now, it is very unlikely that Rakitić will get a new contract, especially with the World Cup finalist ending the season on a low with some mediocre performances. Instead, Barça might just look to ship him off to Inter Milan, where his signature is highly coveted.

If the 31-year old former Sevilla captain does leave, the Blaugrana will need to find a replacement. But it seems that Rakitić’s replacement has already been identified in Atlético’s rising star an former Barça target Rodri.

The youngster’s dazzling performances for Villarreal last season earned him suitors across Spain, and the Spain international ended up rejecting Barça’s offer to move to Atlético in order to replace the departing club captain Gabi.

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He has done so successfully, and has formed a formidable partnership with other midfield stalwarts Thomas Partey, Koke and Saúl under Diego Simeone. Rodri has become a crucial part of the Colcheneros first-team, making 45 appearances in all competitions this season.

The 22-year old defensive midfielder has shown tremendous consistency in the La Liga, and has not played in just 5 league games all season. Rodri is gradually emerging as one of the finest midfielders in Europe, and already has the trust of Spain head coach Luis Enrique.

Barça see Rodri as a long-term successor to Sergio Busquets in the first-team. This would mean that Frenkie de Jong would move into Rakitić’s spot and explore the attacking nature of his game. The problem of De Jong’s dissimilarity with Busquets would also come to an end.

Rodri is very similar to Busquets. The youngster is of the same height as the La Masia graduate, and is equally strong in the air. His defensive contribution is immense, and both players have the same average passing accuracy of 91% this season.

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The young midfielder has a release clause of €70 million, and has another major suitor in Manchester City. The Citizens are set to activate Rodri’s release clause, and Barça must act quickly in order to bring him in.

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