The Barcelona midfielder is one of Europe’s top midfielders – Aston Villa will be praying they don’t make the same mistakes as Sunderland.
Glancing at Sunderland’s recruitment over the last couple of seasons, it would be easy to suggest that perhaps their scouting system leaves a lot to be desired. According to The Chronicle, only three of the club’s last 46 signings earned them a profit. The most recent? James McClean’s £1.5 million move to Wigan Athletic in 2013.
If only they had listened to Ian Atkins. According to the Birmingham Mail, the esteemed talentspotter works as Head of European Recruitment at Aston Villa having previously plied his trade at the likes of Everton and worked alongside current boss Steve Bruce at Birmingham City.
He also earned a living at Sunderland, following Bruce once more to the North East. And, as the Birmingham Mail report, he had his heart set on an up-and-coming 22-year-old midfielder available for as little as £380,000.
It’s just a shame that Sunderland didn’t believe Ivan Rakitic, with just six months left on his contract with Schalke, was worth the fee. In hindsight, that decision looks particularly baffling.
In the six years since, The Black Cats have finished 13th, 17th, 14th, 16th and 17th again in the Premier League while Rakitic, now rated at £42 million according to the Daily Star, has lifted the Europa League with Sevilla, two La Ligas, two Copas Del Rey, a Super Cup, a World Club Cup and the Champions League trophy at Barcelona.
Aston Villa, who spent around £70 million this season with little reward, will be hoping Atkins’s scouting skills remain as sharp as ever. They could do with their own Ivan Rakitic in the midfield right now.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
