http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football...ew_Modric.aspx
Agent confirms EPL quartet chasing "New Modric"
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:19 January 2011 - 17:08
Sport.co.uk can confirm that Shalke 04
midfielder Ivan Rakitic is being chased by Manchester United, Everton,
Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur; however the player is keen to
wait until the end of the season before making a decision on his
future.
Rakitic has 25 caps for Croatia having played previously for both
Switzerland and Croatia at under-21 level. The number 10 can sign a
pre-contract agreement with a club as his contract runs out at the
Bundesliga outfit in the summer, however the playmaker is keen to
respect Shalke and looks set to make a decision in the summer.
In an exclusive interview with
Sport.co.uk the player’s
representative explained that there was interest, however his client
was not close to making a decision on his future.
“There is truth in the clubs mentioned. Ivan is coming to end of his
contract at Shalke, and the club are currently a Champions League club.
So if Ivan changes his club now it must be for a club that can match
his ambitions.” Michael Urscheler told
Sport.co.uk.
“He is satisfied with his club at the moment. He is playing Champions
League, but he will be a free agent in the summer. So he must make a
decision and we are open to offers.
“The main person we talk to is Felix Magath at Shalke and we must
respect that he is still an employee of the club. The player can sign
for any club at the moment, so if he changes club in the summer we will
talk to Shalke and ask them if they want to re-new his contract. “
When asked which Premier League club were leading the chase for the Croatian, dubbed the “New Modric,” he said:
“I won’t answer that because I don’t know. There are not many top clubs
who have not had an eye on Ivan. If a club is professional and they
have a good Chief Scout they have to know about him. He is
22-years-old, has played over 100 games in the Bundesliga, is an
international for Croatia, and he plays in the Champions League. He is a
top player and a top boy.
“Tottenham have some good players, as do the other clubs mentioned, but
it depends on the needs of the manager. I don’t know currently what Sir
Alex Ferguson thinks about Rakitic, but it is sure that he knows him,
but we will see.
“But at this time I cannot tell you anything concrete. The situation is
that Ivan is focused on his club and he wants to be a professional and
focus on his club. We will make a decision in the coming months after
assessing his options.”
