The Catalans are doing everything in their power to keep PSG away from stealing yet another superstar. And the club has made some very strange arrangements to do so.
The Spaniards have learned their lesson after losing Neymar Jr. in 2017. Ivan Rakitic, a member of Valverde’s core team, was on PSG’s shortlist in the last transfer window. But Barcelona made sure the Croatian stays in Spain with some crazy promises.
Barcelona’s crazy pact:
PSG bid £90m for Ivan Rakitic in the summer transfer window and tried to lure away the Croatian with a much better contract. But Barcelona acted quickly in order to keep their key player at the Camp Nou. According to the Catalan newspaper Sport, Barcelona promised Rakitic that he would start every game for the club if he rejects PSG.
The 30-year old rejected the French club and so far, Barcelona have kept their promise. Rakitic has played in all 12 league games so far with 11 starts and one substitute appearance. The Croatian has also started all four games in the Champions League. Rakitic has also contributed with 3 goals and 3 assists in those games but the midfielder’s 91% passing accuracy explains the reason behind such a weird promise.
Since joining Barcelona in 2014, Rakitic has become an inseparable part of Barcelona’s midfield. After Xavi’s retirement, Rakitic’s quality performances in the midfield made it easy for Barcelona to move on from their captain. And now even after Iniesta’s departure, the Croat continues to boss the midfield with Sergio Busquets and the new boy in the town, Arthur Melo.
The perfect midfield metronome!#IvanRakitic #Rakitic #Barcelona #LaLiga #Barca #Croatia @FCBarcelona @ivanrakitic pic.twitter.com/9goGZ10FrQ
— Khel Now World Football (@KNWorldFootball) November 20, 2018
Ironically, Ivan Rakitic is set to miss the first game of the season on Sunday against Atletico Madrid. The midfielder picked up a red card against Real Betis in Barcelona’s 4-3 defeat just before the international break. Rakitic also picked up an injury during Croatia’s game against Spain last week and is likely to miss more than just one game now.
Author’s Take:
While it sounds crazy to make such promises, no Barcelona fan would ever complain about Ivan Rakitic starting every game. The Croatian is a workhorse in the middle of the field and dictates the tempo of the game. Barcelona have done a wise thing by keeping him away from PSG.
PS: Just another example of money can’t buy you everything!
The post Barcelona make SHOCKING promise to star to keep him away from PSG appeared first on The12thMan.
