Real Madrid is reportedly making a strong push to acquire Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic in the summer transfer window.
Spanish radio station Cadena Cope reported that Real Madrid are stepping up their chase for Rakitic, with reports indicating that managing director Jose Angel Sanchez is in talks with Rakitic's representatives.
Sources also indicated that Rakitic is interested in moving to Real next season.
"Dejan Rakitic, the brother and representative of Sevilla's Croatia international midfielder, Ivan Rakitic, has been in talks with Real Madrid's managing director, Jose Angel Sanchez over a possible summer move, as the 26-year-old would like to play at the Bernabeu next season," Inside Spanish Football reported.
Sevilla club president Jose Castro recently told Mirror UK that he can see Rakitic staying in Seville despite drawing interest from top-tier teams in Spain and England.
Reports indicated that Rakitic's representatives were also discussing a contract extension with Sevilla, but talks are reportedly on a standstill at this point, according to Soccer News.
The likelihood of Rakitic staying in Seville does not depend on how much Sevilla can offer, but on how they can convince their captain that the club would be a Champions League contender soon.
"Rakitic was believed to be ready to sign a new deal despite heavy interest from Spain's top clubs, but talks over a contract extension seems to have hit a standstill," Soccer News reported.
Rakitic, who has netted 11 goals and tallied 10 assists in Sevilla's La Liga campaign this season, is also allegedly on Atletico Madrid's radar, but the Croatian midfielder prefers moving to Real Madrid.
"Ivan Rakitic is on Real Madrid's radar, according to Cadena Cope radio. The Croatian midfielder has also received an offer from Atletico, but he has opted for 'Los Blancos', given their interest," Marca reported, via Bleacher Report.
English Premier League teams Liverpool and Manchester United are also interested in Rakitic, but both teams have yet to make moves to convince the midfielder to move to England next season.
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