Tottenham Hotspur unwilling to fork out £8.8m to sign Ivan Rakitic
According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football.london), Tottenham Hotspur are unwilling to pay the asking price for Ivan Rakitic.
The Barcelona star could make way for what could be a summer of change at the Nou Camp. The Catalans were humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich and now find themselves in disarray following Lionel Messi’s admission to move.
Currently in the final year of his contract at Barcelona. Rakitic is one of the players set to be shown the exit doors at Camp Nou this summer.
Apart from Spurs, the Croatian’s former side Sevilla are also in the race for his signature. According to the report, Rakitic is not averse to making a move to North London.
However, it all hinges on Spurs paying his £8.8m asking price. The same goes for Sevilla, who too believe the price is steep for a 32-year-old.
Reaching the latter years of his career, Rakitic is at best a short-term option. He has seen his impact wane at Barcelona in the last few months and has failed to hit the standards he had set.
The veteran Croatian midfielder has gone from being an ever-present in the starting XI to a squad player. In fact, Rakitic has made 42 appearances for Barcelona this season. 20 of them have come from the substitute’s bench. His return of one goal and five assists have seen him have his worst season at the Nou Camp. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Rakitic’s numbers are an indication of his waning influence on the pitch. It is debatable if he can thrive in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League. Spurs’ hesitance is not without substance.
More Tottenham Hotspur News
- Wolverhampton Wanderers accept £15m bid for Matt Doherty
- The agent of Nicolo Zaniolo keen to give an answer to Tottenham Hotspur interest
- Tottenham Hotspur interested in Real Madrid ace Sergio Reguilon
Tottenham have already signed three players this window. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joe Hart had earlier made the switch to North London. They have since been followed by Wolves star Matt Doherty.
At this point in time, the prospect of Rakitic joining the trio looks unlikely.
