Chelsea 'to move for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic'

Chelsea will focus on signing Ivan Rakitic from Barcelona at the end of the season, according to a report.

The Blues are on the lookout for a new midfielder after letting Cesc Fabregas join Monaco earlier this month.

Having focused on recruiting a striker in the winter window, with Gonzalo Higuain finally joining on loan last week, The Express suggests that a new central midfielder is now a top priority.

Rakitic is said to be high on Maurizio Sarri's wishlist, and the Premier League side believe that they can strike a deal as Barca have agreed to bring in Frenkie de Jong from Ajax in the summer.

Chelsea have also been working on deals for Leandro Paredes and Nicolo Barella behind the scenes, though neither player looks likely to join before Thursday's transfer deadline.

Croatia international Rakitic has spent five seasons at Camp Nou and has been used regularly in each of those trophy-laden campaigns.