Barcelona to sign Ivan Rakitic for £16.2m

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https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/barcelona-sign-rakitic-16-2m-225800204.html

Barcelona have tied up a £16.2m (€20m) deal to sign Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla.

The 26-year-old was one of the standout performers in La Liga last season as Sevilla finished in fifth place and he helped the Andalusians claim the Europa League crown with victory over Benfica in May.

The former Schalke star's performances caught they eye of many of Europe's elite clubs and his father admitted earlier this week that he had offers from Barca, Real Madrid and Atletico, adding: "We'll decide after the World Cup."

However, Barca have now stolen a march on their two domestic rivals by agreeing a deal ahead of the summer showpiece in Brazil, which starts next week.

Rakitic, who is preparing for Croatia's World Cup debut against Brazil, will sign a five-year deal with the Catalan club and his release clause is to be set at €70m.

He is the second Croatian to sign for Barca this summer after the Blaugrana also brought in 17-year-old attacking midfielder Alen Halilovic from Dinamo Zagreb.