Inter in pole position for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic

Inter are favourites to land out-of-favour Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic in January, according to fresh reports.

El Mundo Deportivo have cited a report in Italian-based Tuttosport that the Nerazzurri are in pole position to land the Croatian as early in January.

Last week, Calciomercato said that the Croatian international is available for transfer this winter for upwards of €55m after starting just once through the Blaugrana’s opening seven league matches.

It had been claimed by that outlet that the former Sevilla captain is the number one transfer target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United, who are desperately lacking strength in depth in their ranks.

However, it is now reported that Juve and Inter – the top two sides in Serie A at the moment – have also prioritised a deal for the experienced central midfielder.

Previous reports in the Spanish press say Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde – a long-term admirer of the Croatian midfielder – will no longer oppose the sale should the club decide to go down that path.

The Croatian international’s current deal at the Camp Nou runs through until the summer of 2021 although Barca signed midfielders Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo last year and have landed Frenkie De Jong from Ajax this summer.

Carles Alena and Riqui Puig have also come through the club’s La Masia ranks to add further depth to the central midfield ranks, while Sergi Roberto can also be deployed there.

Rakitic has started just one match this season for the Catalan giants.

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