Inter have reportedly shelved their plans to sign Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic and will instead set their sights on Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City.
Barcelona Coach Ernesto Valverde has vetoed any potential sale of Croatia International Rakitic, whom he deems indispensable to his plans, confirmed Tuttosport.
Gundogan is seen by sporting director Piero Ausilio and CEO Beppe Marotta as an ideal addition to the Nerazzurri midfield for next season.
Inter have reportedly shelved their plans to sign Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic and will instead set their sights on Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City.
Barcelona Coach Ernesto Valverde has vetoed any potential sale of Croatia International Rakitic, whom he deems indispensable to his plans, confirmed Tuttosport.
Gundogan is seen by sporting director Piero Ausilio and CEO Beppe Marotta as an ideal addition to the Nerazzurri midfield for next season.
The Germany international has made 42 appearances for City this season, while scoring five times, and would cost somewhere in the region of €40m.
The midfielder was unhappy when speaking to German TV after City lost to Tottenham in the Champions League and accused his side of lacking bravery, a term Coach Pep Guardiola strongly disagreed with.
The 28-year-old’s contract expires in 2020 and he could walk away from City in the summer. Any potential deal for him could be funded by the sale of Ivan Perisic, who is rumoured to be of interest to several Premier League sides.
Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini and Cagliari’s Nicolò Barella are also of interest to the Nerazzurri.