Atletico 'eyeing Barca outcast Rakitic & want to sign him in January'

It seems clear that Ivan Rakitic is living through his last days as a Barcelona player, having slipped right down the pecking order for Ernesto Valverde, yet the Croatian midfielder could prove to be one of the bargains of the January window with Atletico Madrid monitoring his situation.

Atleti were believed to have been very close to signing Rakitic before Barcelona swooped in, some even say that a deal was done with the Catalan side at the last minute.

Rakitic is very comfortable in Spain, he has a settled family life and would love to move to the capital, however the operation would be made difficult by the significant amount of money that Inter would offer to secure his signature.

Rakitic's brother and representative, Dejan, remains in constant contact with the Italian giants, but Los Colchoneros are refusing to give up on their dream to finally bring the midfielder to the club.

In the summer there was a sense that Barcelona's hierarchy wouldn't have been too disappointed to lose the Croatian, and there was even talk that he could be part of a deal which brought Neymar back to the club.

However, with the player having not yet been frozen out of first-team action by Valverde, he opted to stay at the club and wouldn't countenance the possibility of a move away. How quickly things can change in football.

The midfielder is now clear that he will leave in January, and it's obvious that Los Cules need to raise money through his sale, another aspect which gives Inter an advantage, yet Atletico Madrid are in the hunt and keeping a close eye on the situation.