MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 01:49:02| >> :120:10511:10511:

Barcelona 'agree £16.25m deal for Ivan Rakitic'

Ivan Rakitic is reportedly on the brink of a move to Barcelona, with the Catalan club said to have agreed a fee with Sevilla.

Barcelona have reportedly beaten off competition from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid for the signature of Sevilla playmaker Ivan Rakitic, with the move being completed before the start of the World Cup.

The 26-year-old, who is likely to feature in Croatia's opening game against hosts Brazil on Thursday, earned rave reviews for his performances as Sevilla lifted the Europa League trophy last month and finished fifth in La Liga.

Now Goal.com claims that the Catalan giants have stolen a march on their Spanish rivals by finalising a £16.25m move for the 26-year-old, with Rakitic agreeing a five-year contract to move to the Camp Nou.

Earlier this week, Atletico had been thought to be favourites in the race to snap up the midfielder's services.

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Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Rayo Vallecano during their La Liga match on September 25, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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