Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho weighing up summer swoop for FC Barcelona’s £40.5m midfielder Ivan Rakitic

Croatia international star Ivan Rakitić has emerged as a top transfer target for Manchester United, according to the Mirror.

The Premier League side, who visit Crystal Palace on Monday night (20:00), have been linked with a summer swoop for the FC Barcelona midfielder.

The 29-year-old, who has 88 international caps for his country, has scored four goals and provided four assists in 41 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga leaders.

Rakitić, who arrived at the Nou Camp back in June 2014 following his switch from Spanish rivals Sevilla, has netted 29 goals in 200 games overall for the Spanish giants.

Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic in action with Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger.

The report claims the Croatian’s place in the Barcelona side could be under threat following the arrival of fellow midfielder Philippe Coutinho back in January from Liverpool, meaning Reds Devils manager Jose Mourinho could make a move for Rakitić at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, with the futures of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera at Old Trafford uncertain beyond the summer.

He is contracted at the Nou Camp until June 2021, and is valued at £40.5m, by transfermarkt.

Written by Dan Church Follow @DJChurch94