Manchester United and Chelsea are both on the tail of Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic, according to reports.
Metro is claiming that the 30-year-old midfielder is “growingly increasingly frustrated” at the Camp Nou, because Barcelona have refused to offer him a new and improved deal.
And that has left the two Premier League powerhouses eyeing the playmaker, says the newspaper.
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Astronomical asking price
Spanish newspaper Sport reports that Bayern Munich, Juventus and Inter Milan have also “all asked about the Croatia international”. Rakitic is said to be aware of the interest and may look to use it as leverage in any future contract talks.
Rakitic may be tempted by the prospect of a lucrative swansong in the Premier League - while Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu may be tempted by the potential cash windfall.
Metro says that the Spanish giants “have set an asking price of €65m [£57m] for Rakitic”, a huge sum for a player already in his 30s.
Having signed Frenkie de Jong from Ajax, the Catalan club “are more open to selling Rakitic at the end of the season”, and a move to England is the most likely destination for him, the paper adds.
Sanchez out?
The Manchester Evening News reports that Alexis Sanchez has “come in for heavy criticism” following his underwhelming performance in the 2-0 Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, and rumours are mounting that he will be offloaded in the summer.
The Chilean forward failed to impress after being brought on as a first-half substitute, with former Man Utd midfielder Paul Ince branding his display “nothing short of a disgrace”.
Patience with Sanchez is said to be wearing thin at Old Trafford, leaving his future beyond June looking increasingly uncertain.
“His performances are a joke for the wage he gets,” blasted Ince. “The fans deserve better, Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] deserves better, and so do the rest of his team.”
Sancho in?
If Sanchez is on his way out, could Jadon Sancho be on his way in to Old Trafford? The Daily Mirror believes so, claiming that United “have emerged as favourites” to sign Borussia Dortmund’s “teenage wonderkid”.
Although the 18-year-old couldn’t do much to prevent Tottenham trouncing Dortmund 3-0 in their Champions League encounter last night, Sancho’s impressive performances have convinced United to make a June bid for the winger.
Felix in the frame
Finally, Metro says that United are “preparing a summer bid” for Benfica’s attacking midfielder Joao Felix. The 19-year-old is being stalked by several top European clubs, and the Red Devils are among them.
Mature beyond his years, the teen is regarded as one of Portugal’s top young talents, and Metro says that United’s scouts “have been impressed with Felix’s performances”.
