Everything Barca
Fansided

Atletico Madrid interested in Barcelona star midfielder

By Ernesto Hernandez

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Levante UD at Camp Nou on February 02, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 02: Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Levante UD at Camp Nou on February 02, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Atletico Madrid have made Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic a priority for next season.

According to reports, Atletico Madrid are rumored to be heavily interested in Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic. The Colchoneros have apparently already made contact with the Croatian midfielder about a move in the summer.

Diario Sport cite a report from Cadena Ser’s El Larguero claiming that Atletico have indeed made initial contacts to gauge whether the player would be interested in joining them.

More from Everything Barca

The Blaugrana were looking to move on from some players during the winter transfer window with Rakitic being near the top of that list.

Rakitic himself said that he contemplated leaving during a post-match interview following their win against Levante.

According to Diario AS, he said,

"There have been things that I have not liked. The people who make decisions know it and we all know it. There were several things I didn’t like.”"

He also said he received treatment that he, understandably, believed he did not deserve.

The Croatia international has been the subject of criticism from supporters who believe he is no longer good enough to play for Barcelona.

With the arrival of Frenkie de Jong and the emergence of Riqui Puig, Rakitic has seen his playing time diminish. Add to that the impact Arturo Vidal has when he plays, it’s difficult to see him turning his situation around.

As far as the interest from Atletico Madrid, he has a €125 million buy-out clause so they are going to have to negotiate with the Catalans in order to bring that price down.

Next. Lionel Messi makes a threatening demand from Barca. dark

Given that he wants to play, a move to Atletico Madrid would be the best thing for him and despite being 32, if used properly, the former Sevilla midfielder still has a lot to offer.

Home/FC Barcelona News