Everton are looking to take advantage of the financial crisis at German club Schalke 04 to sign Croatia international Ivan Rakitic according to the News of the World. The 21 year old former Basel winger, who was born in Switzerland but plays for Croatia, is very highly rated in world football but has been told he can leave the Bundesliga club as they look to trim their wage bill.
Everton, who have reportedly already agreed a loan deal for American star Landon Donovan, are looking to boost their midfield with injuries having hit their squad leaving them short of attacking quality, particularly with Spaniard Mikel Arteta out of action. The Liverpool-based club find themselves in a shock relegation fight and manager David Moyes is looking for important signings to help bail them out.
The versatile Rakitic, who can play anywhere in midfield, boasts great dribbling and passing skills and would offer the club an attacking threat akin to Arteta’s which would prove extremely useful in the club’s current predicament. Schalke’s financial woes would also help lower the asking price which could mean Everton could sign Rakitic for a bargain fee of around £6 million.
[Is there any substance to this and should this rumour Fly or Die?]
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Schalke are one of those clubs full of underated players and Rakitic is a quality player. Think he would fit nicely into Everton’s side