Real Madrid Moving For Rakitic

Reports out of Spain are suggesting that Real Madrid will look to complete a transfer for Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic. While it's only the beginning of May and transfer rumors are bound to be flying around as teams are already casting an eye to next season, this could be an excellent, though somewhat redundant, signing for our favorite club.

Rakitic has been Sevilla's, and one of the league's, best player this season as he's guided the club to the final of the Europa League and (currently) the fifth place spot in the standings with a fifth best 66 goals scored in the campaign. Rakitic primarily plays as the central attacking midfielder and has the ability to drop back even a bit further, though eh fits the classical mold of playmaker much better.

His output this season has, to put it simply, been absolutely excellent. 15 goals and 13 assists in all competitions while racking (see what I did there?) up 2.3 key passes per game (third in the league). He's very good at producing the long ball and his control of the match is excellent as he's constantly looking to set up those around him. He's also not afraid to do the dirty work on defense but one shouldn't be expecting amazing performances from him in that realm. His arguably biggest strengths are his deliveries on crosses and especially in free kicks.

Great #10, adequate defender, but there is a catch. Sevilla president José Castro had this to say about his star player back in December:

"Ivan Rakitic has a year and a half of his contract remaining. I have absolutely no doubts that we’re going to reach an agreement with him. If anyone else is in a rush to have Rakitic, his clause is €40 million and we’ll leave it at that."

Singing Rakitic would take us one step closer to making my dream come true of a triumvirate of Modric-Rakitic-Mandzukic wearing the whites of Madrid. However; I'm somewhat doubtful that this deal will truly happen as a host of clubs will be after his services and Madrid already have a potential star in the role in Isco, but I wouldn't at all be heartbroken if it did because Rakitic is a truly fantastic player capable of providing that game-winning magic that this club is always on the lookout for. Until then, let's all just enjoy this majestic beauty of a cross/shot.

-->