Chelsea face competition from Bayern Munich in race to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic

Chelsea face competition from Bayern Munich in race to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic
Bayern Munich have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, according to reports.The Croat, who has spent four-and-a-half years with the Catalan giants, is concerned about his playing time due to the impending arrival of Ajax starlet Frenkie De Jong.2

Rakitic is wary of his Barca future due to De Jong’s impending arrival

De Jong is regarded as one of the most promising stars in Europe and he sealed a 60million switch to La Blaugrana in January which will be confirmed in the summer.This has raised concerns for Rakitic, 30, who is now wary of his long-term future with the LaLiga club. Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is keen for the World Cup finalist to extend his contract, which currently runs until 2021, as he has become one of the most important members of his team.However, if the midfielder fails to extend his deal, a bid of 44million will reportedly be enough to prise him away from LaLiga.Chelsea have shown interest in the playmaker – and although Fifa have banned them from signing players for the next two windows – an appeal will likely allow them one last chance to spend in the summer.2

Ajax midfielder De Jong will join Barcelona in the summer

In a fresh development, Sport are reporting Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are also interest in signing Rakitic.Bayern chiefs are admirers of the Croat and are keen to add to reinforcements to their midfield as James Rodriguez is set to return to Real Madrid in the summer.He has proven his ability in Germany’s top-flight following his four year stint with Schalke from 2007-11.This year he has proven once again invaluable to Valverde’s table-topping side, featuring in 23 of their 24 matches and providing two goals an assist,.

---

Transfer news and football gossip: Arsenal plot late Ander

---

Troy Deeney: Some Arsenal fans waste no time in reminding

---

Barcelona vs Liverpool: How Virgil van Dijk saved Celtic from

---

Tottenham should be worried about Champions League qualification, Danny Murphy tells talkSPORT Spurs are on a dreadful run of form in the Premier League after four games without a win EXCLUSIVE
Danny Murphy tells talkSPORT why it won't matter if Liverpool

---

Rangers FC transfer news: Steven Gerrard eyeing Wolves

---

The 27-year-old forward most recently suffered ankle ligament damage in Brazil's 2-0 win over Qatar which rules him out this summer's Copa America. Furthermore, Neymar was earlier this season slapped with a three-game ban for hitting a fan after PSG's shock French Cup final defeat by Rennes, which saw him stripped of the Brazil captaincy.

---

Neymar has rejected a transfer to Real Madrid and told Paris Saint-Germain that he only wants to move to Barcelona. (Source Express). Manchester United are targeting two big signings this month before commencing pre-season. (Source Sun). Yannick Carrasco is edging closer to a move to Arsenal from Chinese Super
Manchester United reportedly lodge bid for Alvaro Morata but

---

England U21 1-1 Poland U21: Aidy Boothroyd's side struggle to break down resilient visitors at Ashton Gate ahead of European Championships England's Under-21 side were held by a resilient
~ England U21 1-1 Poland U21: Aidy Boothroyd's side struggle

---

'Simply the best' - Tottenham fans and former player Ossie Ardiles marvel over new stadium at Spurs Legends v Inter Forever match from crowd after coming on in Spurs Legends v Inter
Simply the best' - Tottenham fans and former player Ossie

---

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira will serve a three-match suspension after the club's appeal to the Football Association over his red card against Tottenham was rejected, Press Association
Torreira to serve three-match ban after appeal is rejected

---

Juventus have not approached Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to replace outgoing head coach Massimiliano Allegri, according to sporting director Fabio Paratici.
Manchester City news: Pep Guardiola again linked with

---

N'Golo Kante has been unmasked as the most-fined player at Chelsea, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi revealing that the World Cup winner is "always late".

---

Arsenal vs Valencia FREE live stream: How to watch without paying extra plus TV channel, kick-off time and line-ups Written by: fpnews Posted on: May 2, 2019 Arsenal host Valencia tonight in the first-leg of their Europa League semi-final clash.
Ajax vs Tottenham LIVE STREAM HD - YouTube

---