Arsenal are reportedly one of the clubs interested in a deal for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
The 32-year-old will see his contract at Camp Nou expire at the end of the 2020-21 campaign, and Rakitic has been persistently linked with an exit from Barcelona in recent weeks.
The Croatia international has been tipped to move back to former club Sevilla, but Arsenal have reportedly stolen a march on their rivals in the race for Rakitic's signature.
According to Le 10 Sport, Mikel Arteta is a keen admirer of the former Sevilla man and has made phone contact with Rakitic as the Gunners manager looks to bolster his midfield.
However, the report claims that Rakitic's preference would be to remain in Spain or seek out a move to Serie A rather than the Premier League.
Rakitic has turned out 42 times for Barca during the 2019-20 campaign, but the midfielder was handed just 16 starts in the La Liga season.
Ben Knapton
