Arteta trying to convince Barça's Rakitic to join him at Arsenal

Arteta trying to convince Barça's Rakitic to join him at Arsenal

Siguen las charlas entre Setién y Rakitic / | FCB

The Barcelona midfielder is likely to stay in Spain and return to Sevilla

Arsenal have made a renewed attempt to sign Ivan Rakitic. According to le10sport, Mikel Arteta, the coach of the Premier League side, has contacted the Barcelona midfielder to try and convince him to join the London club. 

The same report says Arteta is a big fan of the Croatian midfielder and feels he would be a key player next season as Arsenal look to build on an eighth-placed finish -- and an FA Cup win. 

Arteta personally called Rakitic to let him know he wants him at the Emirates, where's he's assured him of a key role in the middle of the midfield. 

However, the same report says that Rakitic has told Arteta that he doesn't want to play in the Premier League and that, if he leaves Barça, it will be for Serie A or another Spanish club. 

Rakitic, 32, has one year left on his deal at Camp Nou but looks most likely to return to Sevilla in a deal worth around 10 million euros. He's ready to take a significant wage cut to ensure a return to the south of Spain. 

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