Reports: Barca & Juve Consider Major Swap Deal
18 January, 2020
Spanish giants FC Barcelona and Serie A champions Juventus are reportedly considering a swap deal for two high-profile players.
According to La Repubblica, the Catalan club and the Bianconeri could open talks over a swap deal involving Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic and Italy winger Federico Bernardeschi.
The former has been heavily linked with a transfer to Juve in recent windows, and now seems closer than ever to an exit from the Blaugrana.
Although he managed to work his way back into the first team under Ernesto Valverde this season, a new manager in Quique Setien brings about yet more challenges for the midfielder.
The 61-year-old boss, who was announced as the Blaugrana's new coach on Tuesday, is known to play a fast and fluid style of attacking football, one that Rakitic might not fit into.
As for Bernardeschi, the Italian has battled to cement a place in Maurizio Sarri's strongest XI in Turin, and might be tempted to find regular first-team football elsewhere ahead of the 2020 UEFA European Championship.
Rakitic has played just 19 matches in all competitions for Barca so far this season, while Bernardeschi has played the same amount of games for Juve.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za