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Sevilla snap up Rakitic

Image: Rakitic: On the move

Sevilla have pounced to prise Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic away from Bundesliga side Schalke.

Croatian playmaker makes Spanish switch

Sevilla have pounced to prise Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic away from Bundesliga side Schalke. The 22-year-old is reported to have cost the Spaniards a €1.5million (£1.3m) fee and has penned a four-and-a-half-year contract. The Swiss-born playmaker admits he had various options to consider before making a move, with a host of clubs having joined the clamour for his signature. A possible move to England was touted at one stage, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United all reported to be keen.

Options

He has, however, opted to try his luck in the Primera Liga and is excited by what the future could hold. "I had a lot of options, many clubs in other leagues asked about me, but I wanted to come to Spain and Sevilla seemed to be the best choice," Rakitic told the club's official website. Having completed one piece of business, Sevilla are now closing in on another fresh face. Chilean midfielder Gary Medel has passed a medical at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and is close to completing his switch from Boca Juniors, where he has been on loan from Universidad Catolica.

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