Thursday, 29th May, 2014
Atletico Madrid are in pole position to beat their rivals Real Madrid to the signature of Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic.
The Croatian played a pivotal role in Sevilla’s Europa League triumph this season. He scored 15 goals and provided 18 assists in 52 appearances for the club in this campaign.
Real Madrid were widely believed to be the 26-year-old’s next destination upon the expiry of his contract this summer, but Atletico Madrid have emerged as shock favourites to seal the deal for Rakitic.
Los Blancos have decided to pull out of the race for Rakitic after it emerged that the player has reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid, according to Spanish radio station Cope.
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Real Madrid feel that they need to strengthen in other areas of the squad and the ten-time European champions believe that Rakitic would have struggled to get into the first eleven at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Amidst speculation of some of their top talents leaving this summer, Atletico Madrid will feel that they have pulled off a coup if they can secure the signature of Rakitic, who was one of La Liga’s best performing midfielders this season.
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