Man Utd blow as Inter Milan close in on £43m transfer deal for Barcelona midfielder Rakitic

MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a blow as Ivan Rakitic closes in on a move to Inter Milan.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to add an experienced midfielder to his ranks with the departure of Ander Herrera.

The 31-year-old has been on United’s radar since the Catalan giants announced the signing of Ajax star Frenkie de Jong.

Paul Pogba could also be leaving Old Trafford this summer, after fans turned on him at the final whistle of Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Cardiff.

And with Sergio Busquets, Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal and young Carlos Alena at their disposal, Barca will allow Rakitic to move on to raise funds to strengthen the squad in other areas.

Goal report the Croatian is close to joining Inter for £43million, ending his five-year stint at the Nou Camp.

Rakitic moved to Barca in 2014 from Sevilla and has won four La Liga titles, four Copas del Rey and the Champions League.

Inter are looking to challenge the Serie A dominance of Juventus next season and the addition of the 2018 World Cup finalist will be seen as a real statement of intent.

The Nerazzurri are on course to offer Rakitic Champions League football next term.

Luciano Spalletti’s side are fourth, a point ahead of Roma with three games left to play.