Both Sevilla FC & FC Barcelona still have to make it official, but both Barcelona based Spanish Sports papers - "Sport" & "Mundo Deportivo" - have already pasted on their front page of their online editions. Croatian International midfielder IVAN RATIKIC is on his way to FC BARCELONA after Sevilla FC & Barça Directives negotiated all day to shut the deal.
The terms between Clubs is said to be close to 20M€ plus Barça young promise Denis Suarez who will be loaned & has been playing in FC Barcelona B team. There are still "fine details" to be settled & local press anticipate that tomorrow the announcement will be made from the Clubs. The signing of Ratikic gives more weight to the anticipated exit from Barça of Cesc Fabregas said to be heading to Chelsea FC.
Months back, Atletico de Madrid was said to have the player tied-up & latter Real Madrid came into the picture. However, with new Barça Coach Luis Enrique at the helm, Barça decided to intervene & accelerate contacts, negotiations & sign before the upcoming World Cup. Barça wanted to avoid a possible transfer price increase if Ratikic did a good World Cup campaign with Croatia.
Two players who are having outstanding seasons with their respective Clubs; goalkeeper Keylor Navas (Levante) & Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla FC) are said to be signing objectives of Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid for next season.
The first is Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas who Atletico de Madrid sees as the ideal replacement for Courtois if he was to return to Chelsea FC next season. The player has a stiff contract release clause of around 10M€ & Atletico are hoping that Levante will sit down & negotiate.
The second is Croatian international & Sevilla FC midfielder Ivan Rakitic. This option is even more difficult as Sevilla does not wish to let their current Captain go & there are English Premier League Clubs also interested. The player ends contract in 2015 & knows that Atletico de Madrid is very interest in his services for next season. Atletico would wish to negotiate with Sevilla but prefers to wait until the player himself takes the initiative & pronounces his desire to go to Madrid.
Both cases are excellent signing prospects which would make any Football Club stronger, & more so the already powerful Atletico de Madrid team which looks to reinforce & consolidate its jump in quality & in European Football.
Stay tuned!
