Barcelona close to sealing a €20m Rakitic deal

          Spanish giants Barcelona is reported to have taken a huge step in sealing a €20m Iven Rakitic deal.

Rakitić who is a Swiss-born Croatian footballer plays for Sevilla in La Liga, as a central or attacking midfielder. The 26-year-old was one of the standout performers in La Liga last season as Sevilla finished in fifth place and won the Europa League. Since arriving from Schalke in 2011, Rakitić has scored 27 league goals in 177 appearances and a total of 34 goals in 147 games for Sevilla.

Earlier this week his father admitted interest from clubs across Europe and he said, "We'll decide after the World Cup." Sevilla coach Unai Emery was resigned to losing the Swiss-born midfielder on Thursday. "I could understand if Rakitić leaves," he told Canal Plus. "In an ideal world, he would stay but I know he has several offers. If he leaves, we'll try and sign another Rakitić." Rakitić will be part of Coratia squad for the World Cup who are in group A with Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico.
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