Manchester United just 9/4 to sign Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic

Manchester United could be set to bolster their midfield options, with reports linking the Premier League outfit with a move  for Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic.

The bookies make it just 9/4 that the Croatian midfielder swaps the Camp Nou for Old Trafford.

Today’s press reports claim that Jose Mourinho sees Rakitic as a successor for 35-year-old Michael Carrick, while his arrival may also allow Paul Pogba more freedom offensively.

Any deal is likely to wait until the summer however, with 9/4 saying the 28-year-old leaves the Catalan giants in the off-season.

A January move is deemed far less likely at 4/1.

United are the heavy favourites for Rakitic in the betting, ahead of Juventus at 5/1 and PSG at 6s.

Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal are 7/1 and 14/1 respectively.

A Ladbrokes spokesperson said: “Jose can’t rely on Michael Carrick forever, and the arrival of a player of a Rakitic’s calibre would certainly go down well at Old Trafford.”

United’s negotiating power will certainly increase if they can head into next summer’s window with the promise of Champions League football.

The Red Devils can boost their hopes this weekend if they can win away at Everton, and the bookies appear to fancy United’s chances with Jose Mourinho’s men priced up as 11/10 favourites at Goodison Park.

Ladbrokes latest betting

Ivan Rakitic specials

To leave Barcelona in Summer 2017 transfer window – 9/4

To leave Barcelona in January 2017 transfer window – 4/1

Next permanent club

Man United – 9/4

Juventus – 5/1

PSG – 6/1

Bayern Munich – 7/1

Man City – 7/1

Inter – 10/1

Arsenal –14/1

Real Madrid – 25/1

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing