AC Milan turn attention from Modric to Rakitic
AC Milan, who had been linked with Luka Modric in the summer, have now turned their attention to Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, according to Italian press.
AC Milan have not started the season well. With the 18-time Serie A winners currently languishing in 12th place in the Italian league, the club is looking to bring in players in January to support its rebuild.
And although the Rossoneri is focusing its reconstruction around younger talent, the club wants to bring an experienced leader that can help manage the difficult situation both on and off the field.
Milan had been linked with 33-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric in the summer, but have now turned their attention to his Croatia team mate, Ivan Rakitic, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 31-year-old Barcelona midfielder could fill a crucial position at the San Siro and, like Modric, has been approved by club general manager and former legend, Zvonimir Boban.
Meanwhile, Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis, has revealed that although they generally prefer to sign younger players, the club could seek experience in the winter market.
“In January I do not like to be very active in the market, but sometimes it is necessary. And we can also invest in experienced players like we did with Higuaín,” said Gazidis.
Rakitic: a more viable option than Modric for AC Milan
Rakitic, whose current Camp Nou contract expires in 2021, had once been considered ‘non-transferable’ since joining Barcelona in 2014. But with the club’s current abundance of central midfielders, he has fallen down the pecking order under coach Ernesto Valverde and was identified as one of the make weights in Neymar transfer negotiations with PSG in the summer.
The Croatian midfielder has had very little prominence at Barca this season, having made only one start and accumulated just 206 minutes of game time. Considering his current situation at Camp Nou, Rakitic could be very open to a move a club where he could regain a starring role.