Ivan Rakitic

[Dinpomp]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/49374/Agent_confirms_EPL_quartet_chasing_New_Modric.aspx

Agent confirms EPL quartet chasing "New Modric"

Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:19 January 2011 - 17:08


Sport.co.uk can confirm that Shalke 04 midfielder Ivan Rakitic is being chased by Manchester United, Everton, Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur; however the player is keen to wait until the end of the season before making a decision on his future.

Rakitic has 25 caps for Croatia having played previously for both Switzerland and Croatia at under-21 level. The number 10 can sign a pre-contract agreement with a club as his contract runs out at the Bundesliga outfit in the summer, however the playmaker is keen to respect Shalke and looks set to make a decision in the summer.

In an exclusive interview with Sport.co.uk the player’s representative explained that there was interest, however his client was not close to making a decision on his future.

“There is truth in the clubs mentioned. Ivan is coming to end of his contract at Shalke, and the club are currently a Champions League club. So if Ivan changes his club now it must be for a club that can match his ambitions.” Michael Urscheler told Sport.co.uk.

“He is satisfied with his club at the moment. He is playing Champions League, but he will be a free agent in the summer. So he must make a decision and we are open to offers.

“The main person we talk to is Felix Magath at Shalke and we must respect that he is still an employee of the club. The player can sign for any club at the moment, so if he changes club in the summer we will talk to Shalke and ask them if they want to re-new his contract. “

When asked which Premier League club were leading the chase for the Croatian, dubbed the “New Modric,” he said:

“I won’t answer that because I don’t know. There are not many top clubs who have not had an eye on Ivan. If a club is professional and they have a good Chief Scout they have to know about him. He is 22-years-old, has played over 100 games in the Bundesliga, is an international for Croatia, and he plays in the Champions League. He is a top player and a top boy.

“Tottenham have some good players, as do the other clubs mentioned, but it depends on the needs of the manager. I don’t know currently what Sir Alex Ferguson thinks about Rakitic, but it is sure that he knows him, but we will see.

“But at this time I cannot tell you anything concrete. The situation is that Ivan is focused on his club and he wants to be a professional and focus on his club. We will make a decision in the coming months after assessing his options.”

 

[DoublePivot]

Wow the new Modric is only 2.5 years younger than the old one. :lol:

 

[Berglad]

I thought Milan Badelj was the anointed new Modric!

 

[DoublePivot]

he's the new "new Modric". Keep up Bergie :wink:

 

[Dinpomp]

Every Croatian midfielder is "the new Modric." :roll: :grin:

Rakitic is not the new Modric. But he is a talented midfielder. And his shot isn't anything like Modric's.

 

[bryanabutler]

Every Croatian midfielder is "the new Modric." :roll: :grin:

Rakitic is not the new Modric. But he is a talented midfielder. And his shot isn't anything like Modric's.

D P If you were the Spurs manager, who would you buy
Ivan Perisic
Ivan Rakitic
Milan Badelj
Josip IIicic
Javier Pastore

 

[Dinpomp]

Maybe all of the above. :grin:

Forget about Pastore. He's already wanted by Barca and Real but wants to stay at Palermo to ensure he gets regular playing time. He'd be #1, but no chance.

IF Ilicic is doable (which he still might be), I'd jump at the chance of signing him.

Both of the above are proving it in a good league and they are doing it with style. Pastore is basically over everyone's head in terms of affordability (excluding Barca and Real) while Ilicic is expensive but not out of reach.

Rakitic, Perisic and Badelj all have their qualities. It would really depend on the make-up of the team. Rakitic and Badelj are more deep-lying playmakers while Perisic is more of an athletic/attacking mid. I guess it depends on what you want.

In terms of what they'd cost:

Rakitic - free in the summer, could be had for a nominal fee now.

Perisic - not really sure what Club Brugge would demand for him. They got him last summer for a mere 200,000 euros. I can't see him going for less than 5-6m euros.

Badelj - tough to say, but I doubt Dinamo would sell for under 8m.

 

[bryanabutler]

Maybe all of the above. :grin:

Forget about Pastore. He's already wanted by Barca and Real but wants to stay at Palermo to ensure he gets regular playing time. He'd be #1, but no chance.

IF Ilicic is doable (which he still might be), I'd jump at the chance of signing him.

Both of the above are proving it in a good league and they are doing it with style. Pastore is basically over everyone's head in terms of affordability (excluding Barca and Real) while Ilicic is expensive but not out of reach.

Rakitic, Perisic and Badelj all have their qualities. It would really depend on the make-up of the team. Rakitic and Badelj are more deep-lying playmakers while Perisic is more of an athletic/attacking mid. I guess it depends on what you want.

In terms of what they'd cost:

Rakitic - free in the summer, could be had for a nominal fee now.

Perisic - not really sure what Club Brugge would demand for him. They got him last summer for a mere 200,000 euros. I can't see him going for less than 5-6m euros.

Badelj - tough to say, but I doubt Dinamo would sell for under 8m.

Thanks D P. My choice would be , to sell Jenas and buy J IIicic

 

[StanSpur]

I think this lad could be a good replacement for JJ if he is no longer needed by the club. Attacking midfielder who sometimes plays as a second striker and has now been developed as a defensive midfielder!! So anywhere infront of the back four then.

On a free transfer in June (if we beat other teams to the pre contract agreement) would be a great bit of business, he comes from a league not too dissimilar from ours in terms of pace and competitiveness, CL experience, can score a goal and is only 22. If nothing else he'd be able to turn at least a £5m profit if we sold him on. Wonder if he thinks playing with Mods each week would do his career a load of good - surely it would. I say get the lad in, it hasd to be worth a shot.

 

[StanSpur]

Every Croatian midfielder is "the new Modric." :roll: :grin:

Rakitic is not the new Modric. But he is a talented midfielder. And his shot isn't anything like Modric's.

Does that mean he has one then? Mods shots are almost as weak as Lennons

 

[JonnySpurs]

He looks a great little player but where the heck would we fit him him into the side?

We've already signed Pienaar and it's all very well saying he could replace JJ but JJ doesn't start so this kid isn't gonna wanna come warm our bench!?

Hudd and Modders are our best midfield pair and I don't see that changing any time soon

 

[Dinpomp]

Does that mean he has one then? Mods shots are almost as weak as Lennons

Yes, that's what I was referring to. He's got a very good shot on him. He's also good at set-piece deliveries.