Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic would prefer a move to Inter Milan ahead of Manchester United, according to Sport.

The Catalan based newspaper reports both the Nerazzurri and the Red Devils are interested in the player, but the 31-year-old is said to be keener on a move to Italy.

Rakitic has been previously adamant that he wants to remain at Barca but the La Liga champions are said to be open to selling up for €50m (£46m).

That figure could, however, prove a stumbling block for Inter who may not be able to come up with the cash.

It could leave United as Rakitic’s one and only option, but any deal will have to move fast with the transfer deadline fast approaching.

English clubs have just eight days before the window closes, and manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer says the club are working on one or two deals:

“I’m not here to talk about any rumours or speculation about other team’s players. But of course, we’re working on one or two cases, as I’ve said before. There’s another ten days before we start the league and hopefully, we can announce a fresh face or two.”

Whether one of them is Rakitic, we shall have to wait and see.