Rakitic and Sevilla: A love story with a happy ending?

With just a year left on his contract at Barcelona, Ivan Rakitic could be on his way back to Sevilla.

Rakitic will always be tied to the Andalusian club, as he was captain when Sevilla lifted their third Europa League title, which was to be the first of three that Unai Emery presided over.

And Rakitic was the true leader of that side, one that re-established the club's position as a European power.

He left after that to Barcelona, where he has won everything the domestic game has to offer.

But now at 32 years old, he could be on his way back 'home', albeit it won't be a simple matter.

Diario Sport report that the Croatian wants the move, and Monchi - Sevilla's sporting director does too.

However, wanting one thing in football is just part of the puzzle, with the others being negotiations and the value of the player.

Rakitic is in high demand, with Juventus said to have been interested in January, and Atletico Madrid supposedly monitoring him as the summer approaches.

Barcelona are likely to want over 20 million euros for the Croatian, whose annual net salary is close to eight million euros.

Sevilla don't have anyone on more than three million euros a season.

However, Rakitic is understood to be willing to halve his wage packet to be able to once again put the Sevilla shirt on.

Sevilla will likely have to offer a long-term contract to secure the signing of the 32-year-old, who would replace the departing Ever Banega.

Can Monchi pull it off? The Rakitic-Sevilla love story deserves a happy ending