Milan have joined city rivals Inter in the race to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic in January, report Sport Mediaset.
It is claimed that Milan's chief football officer Zvonimir Boban is said to be the catalyst for the interest in his fellow countryman, who looks set to exit the Camp Nou.
The Croatian international has been linked with a move away from Ernesto Valverde's side in recent months, after the club stalled on offering him a contract extension this summer.
A recent report in Diario Sport claimed his days at the Camp Nou are numbered and while Italian side Inter are favourites to land him, Manchester United have also made direct contract for his signature.
Last week, Marca said that whilst no transfer away has been finalised, it is now said to be a formality for the Croat has been an integral part of the club’s midfielder for five years but has featured only sparingly this season.
Last week, 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.
It had been claimed by that outlet that the former Sevilla captain is the number one transfer target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 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 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.
