Monday, 9th June, 2014
Barcelona appear to have sealed the signing of Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla in a move which further paves the way for Cesc Fabregas to leave the club this summer.
Rakitic has just one year remaining on his contract with the Europa League winners, but has resisted penning an extension in order to seek his fortune elsewhere.
According to Seville-based daily Estadio Deportivo, a meeting this evening between Sevilla's president Jose Castro, Sevilla sporting director Monchi and Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has thrashed out an agreement.
Barcelona will pay a sum of €20m for Rakitic, along with sending 20-year-old attacking midfielder Denis Suarez to Sevilla; it is not yet clear whether Suarez will land on loan or on a permanent deal.
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The move is likely to speed the exit of Fabregas, who is close to joining Chelsea.
The former Arsenal captain is being allowed to leave the Camp Nou, with the Blaugrana thought set to pocket around €33m from selling him to Jose Mourinho's men.
Fabregas had been linked with a return to Arsenal, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger opted against activating a buy-back clause.
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