Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic Reportedly Turned Down TWO Offers From Real Madrid

Barcelona's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic was reportedly a target for arch rivals Real Madrid last summer, according toMundo Deportivo.

The Spanish publication, who also reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, claimed that Rakitic was quick to turn down Los Blancos.

Zinedine Zidane's search for a midfielder included looking at the likes of N'Golo Kante and Moussa Sissoko. He opted to approach Rakitic, however, an ambitious move that was rebuffed promptly by the former Sevilla playmaker.

Mundo Deportivo: El #RealMadrid quiso fichar a RAKITIC https://t.co/1nqH0x9WoB pic.twitter.com/uAcXyINLaa

The 28-year old joined the Catalan club in 2014 and has proved a worthy replacement for departing legend Xavi Hernandez in the centre of the park for Barca. With the addition of Andre Gomes, though, Real Madrid thought they could capitalise on what they thought was an overpopulated Barcelona midfield.

Luis Enrique sees Rakitic as a crucial player, however, favouring him alongside Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets in midfield.

Los Blancos reportedlydid not make a formal offer, but "Rakitic's entourage received a call from a Real Madrid chief executive" asking whether he would consider such a move.

Rakitic also turned down the offer to join the eleven time Champions League winners when he was at Sevilla, giving the same answer when approached before opting to join Barcelona.

Currently out with a tendon injury, the former Schalke man could miss Barcelona's Champions League tie against Manchester City having already missed his side's 4-3 loss at Celta Vigo in their last outing.

Rakitic is expected to be offered a lucrative new deal to quash any speculation of a move and tie down the midfielder for the foreseeable future.