Barcelona are set to encourage Manchester City to bid for Ivan Rakitic.

The Croatia international has been linked with a January move to City as they seek a replacement for crocked midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

And El Confidencial says a deal could be on before the transfer deadline falls.

Barca need a major sale to fund their new contract offer for Lionel Messi and the prime candidates to be cashed in are Rakitic and Arda Turan.

Turan has been linked with a big money move to China.