Barcelona could reportedly face pressure to keep hold of a key figure amid reports of interest in stalwart Ivan Rakitic.
The 30-year-old has been a fundamental piece in the line-up since arriving from Sevilla in 2014, making 214 appearances for the club while winning a whole host of trophies.
SEE MORE: €40m Man Utd target set to make imminent decision as deadline and Barcelona exit looms
In turn, coupled with the fact that he was an instrumental figure for Ernesto Valverde last season as Barcelona won a domestic double, they will surely be eager to keep hold of him moving forward.
According to Mundo Deportivo though, they could come under pressure from Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco to do that despite Rakitic’s reported €125m release clause, as the French clubs have been linked with a move for the Croatian international.
Unless Rakitic requests an exit, it’s difficult to see a departure materialising in truth as Barcelona will surely continue to value his influence. However, it remains to be seen if an offer is made and whether or not it comes close to the release clause fee.
Meanwhile, a potential long-term fixture in the midfield could be closer to moving to the Nou Camp as Sport claim that a key breakthrough has been made between Barca and Ajax over the transfer of €50m-rated starlet Frenkie de Jong.
It’s suggested that the talented Dutchman will potentially either join Barcelona this summer or next depending on Ajax’s Champions League qualification hopes in the coming weeks, but ultimately it’s reported that he may well find himself playing in Spain either way.
Having already signed Arthur and Arturo Vidal this summer to bolster that area of the squad, there doesn’t appear to be an immediate need to improve further. In turn, perhaps Barca can afford to be patient with De Jong, who given is still just 21 years of age, has a bright future ahead of him based on his displays for Ajax.