AC Milan 'to battle Manchester United for Ivan Rakitic'

AC Milan are reportedly ready to battle Manchester United for the signature of Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic when the January transfer window opens for business.

United are believed to have already made contact with Barca over a swoop for the 31-year-old, who has only started one La Liga match in the early stages of the 2019-20 campaign.

The Red Devils have reportedly been told that they will have to come up with a bid of £35m to sign the Croatia international at the mid-point of the season.

However, according to Calciomercato, Milan have now joined the race for the 2018 World Cup finalist, who recently hinted that he could leave Camp Nou in search of regular football.

The report claims that Milan are determined to add experience to their team at the start of 2020, and the Italian giants are preparing to 'lay down the groundwork for a January move'.

Rakitic, who has been with the Croatia squad during the international break, has won four La Liga titles and the Champions League since joining Barca from Sevilla in the summer of 2014.