Arsenal Transfer News: Rumours on Ivan Rakitic, Radja Nainggolan

Arsenal reportedly sounded out Barcelona over the availability of midfield star Ivan Rakitic during the January transfer window, according to rumours in the Spanish press.

El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Metro's Will Giles) claim the Gunners and Manchester City both made contact with the Blaugrana, sparking speculation the two clubs might return at the end of the season:

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According to El Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners and City approached Rakitic to establish whether or not his absence from the first-team in some of the bigger games would be enough to convince him to leave.

Both sides were rebuffed with Rakitic preferring to remain in Spain to fight for his place, but could return for the play-maker in the close season.

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The Croat was one of Barcelona's marquee signings of the summer, turning down a host of top clubs to move to the Catalans from Sevilla. After a bright start for the club, his performances nose-dived after a poor showing against Paris Saint-Germain. In total, he's made 15 La Liga starts so far, via WhoScored.com.

The 26-year-old was frequently compared to Real Madrid's Toni Kroos, who completed a transfer to La Liga around the same time Rakitic moved to Barcelona. The two play a similar position but have radically different styles, and naturally, pundits were eager to find out which club got the better player.

Squawka's Sam Marsden certainly believed Barcelona made the better deal at the time, but six months later, Kroos has undoubtedly had a much larger impact on his club. And as explained by Sport Witness, the Spanish press likes to get dramatic in those situations:

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On Sunday one of their TOP SECRET claims is that Arsenal approached Ivan Rakitic during the January transfer window. Rakitic was a bargain signing for Barcelona last summer and hasn't done badly for the club, but he's not turned into a huge star yet either. Catalan media impatience knows no bounds and there have been claims that he's a player somewhat protected by the transfer ban, because Barcelona couldn't get a replacement. It's all a little over the top.

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It's perfectly possible Arsenal approached Barcelona to see how they still felt about their new midfielder. Rakitic was a relatively cheap signing for the Blaugrana—if things weren't working out, cutting him loose wouldn't be a big deal under normal circumstances.

The Catalans' current transfer ban complicates matters, however, and just about every club in the world knows it. Barcelona can't sign and register new players until January of next year; the chances of them selling a productive contributor at this point are virtually non-existent.

On top of that, Rakitic simply hasn't been as bad as some claim. He's a productive, versatile midfielder still adapting to Barcelona's style of play, and the fact he has been given 15 starts shows manager Luis Enrique trusts the Croatia international.

It's a nice story from Mundo Deportivo but don't expect to see Rakitic in an Arsenal shirt anytime soon.

The Daily Express' Ben Jefferson reports the Gunners are interested in another midfielder, AS Roma's Radja Nainggolan, but Premier League rivals Liverpool could swoop in to steal the Belgium international from under their nose.

Tano Pecoraro/Associated Press

As shared by Metro Sport, he would be part of three players to join Anfield from the peninsula:

The 26-year-old has become a smash hit in the Italian capital since moving from Cagliari, more than adequately replacing the then-injured Kevin Strootman in the starting XI. With the Dutch international nearing full health again, the Giallorossi suddenly have a surplus of star central midfielders.

Nainggolan's tenacity, athleticism and physicality would serve him well in the Premier League, where he could establish himself as one of the top holding midfielders in the league. He's not the greatest technician or scorer, however, qualities manager Arsene Wenger appreciates in all of his midfielders.

The Belgian has only just moved to Roma and has arguably been their best player this season, so don't expect any bargain deals. Nainggolan would be a solid, if not great fit with Arsenal, but it's hard to envision the Italian dealing so soon after bringing him in.

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