Bayern Join Race To Sign £44m-rated Chelsea Target

German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have reportedly joined the race to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona following his contract standoff with the Nou Camp outfit.

According to the publication from Diario Sport, Bayern Munich will battle Italian Serie giants Inter Milan for his services.

Ivan Rakitic has previously linked with a transfer to the Premier League.

Chelsea and Manchester United are said to be keen on the experienced Croatian international midfielder.

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Rakitic was part of the Croatian squad that stunned the entire footballing world by reaching the final of last summer’s FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

Croatia were losing finalists as France won the tournament via a 4-2 victory.

The aforementioned report claimed that Barcelona are open to the sale of the midfielder if they can get at least €50m (£44m) for him.

Rakitic had a request for a pay rise turned down by the Nou Camp bosses and that has fuelled transfer rumours linking him with an exit from the club despite the fact that he has a contract that does not expire until 2021.

The Croatian midfielder signed for Barcelona in 2014 from fellow Spanish La Liga club Sevilla.