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Liverpool ask Barcelona for Ivan Rakitic in Philippe Coutinho swap deal
LIVERPOOL have asked for Ivan Rakitic to be included in any deal for Philippe Coutinho.
Ivan Rakitic shows brilliant close control
The Brazil international has made all the headlines in recent weeks with Barca actively pursuing him.
Jurgen Klopp insists he won't be sold but Barca are determined to break the bank to sign him and view the 25-year-old as a replacement for Paris Saint-Germain target Neymar.
Reports in Spain earlier today suggested the Reds would only consider doing business with the Catalan giants if they came in with an offer of €120million (£107m).
Barca will try to offer Arda Turan or Denis Suarez in part of any swap deal but Jurgen Klopp has bigger ambitions.
Liverpool have reportedly asked for Ivan Rakitic
Spanish publication Don Balon claim Liverpool want star midfielder Rakitic to be included in any potential move.
Rakitic has been one of the key players behind Barca's success since joining from Sevilla in 2014, making 100 La Liga appearances.
But with Ernesto Valverde arriving in the summer and the former Athletic Bilbao boss keen to bring fresh talent into his midfield, Rakitic could be set for less playing time at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona are desperate to sign Philippe Coutinho
The report adds Rakitic is a fan of Klopp's work and the German would guarantee him a starring role at Anfield.
And with Liverpool holding all the cards in negotiations for Coutinho, it will now be down to Barca to decide whether to sell Rakitic in order to land their top target.
Rakitic, who only signed a new long-term deal in March, is under contract with Barca until 2021.
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