Reports | Juventus move closer to signing Ivan Rakitic

Ivan Rakitic could be close to leaving Barcelona and sign for Juventus, reports Diario Sport. The 31-year-old was on the bench in the Blaugrana's 5-2 home victory against Real Betis, the second time that Ernest Valverde has left Rakitic out of the starting lineup this season. With less than one week from the September 2 transfer deadline, it does look like Barcelona are looking to offload the Croatian international, with Juventus monitoring his situation very closely.

It was reported by the Spanish press that the clubs met last Monday, and Rakitic was on the agenda. But for a deal to be reached, the player must want to leave Camp Nou and Juventus must sell players in order to have the funds needed to get the Croatian international. The Old Lady have spent a lot this summer to try and reinforce an ageing back-line, which does mean that they need to balance their books before adding any new additions.

At Barcelona since 2014, Rakitic was an undisputed starter from the moment go, with the Croatian averaging 50 appearances per season in his 5 seasons at Camp Nou.  With one week left for transfer deadline combined with the additions of Arthur Melo and Frenkie de Jong, it does look like Ivan Rakitic’s time at Barcelona is coming to an end.