Manchester United continue to push for Barça midfielder Rakitic

Manchester United remain hopeful of signing Ivan Rakitic this summer. According to The Express on Wednesday, coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made the Barcelona midfielder one of his top targets at the club look to regain their weight in the Premier League. He has asked the club's owners to go all out for the Croatian. 

United's interest in Rakitic is not new. Months ago, the Barça man was an option for the English club as the Catalans looked set to entertain offers for him. Solskjaer wants to build a team with young players but he is also keen on adding some experience. At 31 and with five years at Camp Nou, Rakitic fits that profile. 

Rakitic would be a replacement for Ander Herrera, who's going to Paris Saint-Germain, while Juan Mata could also leave the club with his contract at Old Trafford expiring. Paul Pogba's future is also uncertain with the Frenchman tempted to leave given the interest from Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane. 

While Rakitic has expressed time and again his desire to stay at Barça -- his contract runs until 2021 -- United will continue to try and convince the player and close an agreement with the Spanish champions. 

The English club feel paying the player's wages will not be a problem, but matching Barça's price tag could be. They are prepared to pay around 40 million euros. In addition to United, Inter and PSG are also keen on signing Rakitic this summer if he becomes available.