Ivan Rakitić could be ready to leave Barcelona at the end of the season after reports suggest that he has put forward the request to the club.
The 30-year-old Croatian midfielder has continued to be an important part of Ernesto Valverde's squad this season, but with Barça looking to spend in the summer transfer window, his first-team opportunities might be limited with any new arrivals at the club.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Rakitić's decision has reportedly attracted the interest of Inter Milan.
The Italian newspaper claims that the Croatia international's future at the club has 'exploded,' specifically when it comes to Ajax star Frenkie de Jong signing for Barça last month.
The Spanish club have also been linked with Adrien Rabiot for some time, with the Paris Saint-Germain player's contract set to expire at the end of the season and Barcelona are keen to snap him up on a free transfer.
La Gazzetta has added that Rakitić wants to 'start a new cycle' with the Italian club, though the reigning La Liga champions have slapped a €30m price tag on him.
However, Football Italia reports that I Nerazzurri have not ended their interest in Real Madrid's Luka Modrić.
The 33-year-old Croatian midfielder, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2018, had been linked with a move to the Serie A side since last summer.
It would leave Inter with the position of either pursuing Modrić again in the summer or turning their attention solely to Rakitić.
SPORTbible reported in January that Barcelona made an important promise to new boy de Jong that three players would leave the club.
Among those three players who would reportedly be shown the door at the Camp Nou was Denis Suárez, who has been loaned out to Arsenal, and Rakitić.
Rakitić signed from Sevilla in 2014 and has made 156 appearances for Barcelona.
While the former Schalke and Sevilla star's potential departure might come as a surprise for some, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently explained that the club are looking to build for the future by bringing more young talent into the team.
Who should Inter sign out of Rakitić or Modrić?
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Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Barcelona, Serie A, Croatia, Ivan Rakitic, Adrien Rabiot, Ernesto Valverde, Frenkie De Jong, La Liga, Barca, Luka Modric, Inter Milan