Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has personally contacted Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic to try and convince him to join the Gunners this summer.
That’s according to a report from le10sport, who claim Arteta called Rakitic over the last few days to express his desire of managing the 32-year-old next season. Arsenal will most likely not be able to re-sign Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos on loan for one more season, and want an experienced player to partner with Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park.
If a report from Mundo Deportivo is to be believed, Rakitic could join his former club Sevilla for just €10 million, so Arsenal could tempt Barça to sell him with an improved offer. The problem is convincing Rakitic: the Croatian reportedly told Arteta that England is not his priority, and he would like to either stay in Spain or go to Italy. Continue reading