Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic is being linked with a surprise move to Lokomotiv Moscow, now coached by former Croatia boss Slaven Bilic.
A report in Marca claims that Bilic, who knows the player well after his time in charge of Croatia, has made Rakitic his prime target for next season, although there has also been interest from Spartak Moscow.
However, Lokomotiv are understood to be willing to offer up to €10m for the 24-year-old – who made 36 appearances for Los Nervionenses last season after his €2.5m transfer from Schalke – which would represent a significant profit for the Andalusians, whose budget this year has been cut having failed to qualify for European competition.
Meanwhile, L’Equipe says that Sevilla have sold veteran French defender Julien Escude to Besiktas for €1m, although there has been no official confirmation from either club.
The 32-year-old has been at the Sanchez Pizjuan for six years following a €1.5m move from Ajax in January 2006.
