Liverpool And Manchester United Boosted In Chase for La Liga Sensation

Ivan Rakitic's contract extension talks with Sevilla have reportedly stalled because the Croatian playmaker insists his club must give him a cut-price release clause to facilitate a summer move.

The 25-year-old midfielder, a target for both Liverpool and Manchester United, is enjoying a coming-of-age season, garnering a reputation as one of the most talented midfielder around Europe.

After scoring 10 goals and grabbing 9 assists in 21 La Liga games, he has caught the eye of a number of European clubs, including the Premier League giants and Barcelona, who have earmarked him as Xavi Hernandez's long-term replacement.

The Croatian international has been in negotiations with Sevilla over a renewal for some months but according to the reports in Spain the deal is currently blocked.

Spanish newspaper AS reports that Sevilla are not likely to accept his condition to reduce his £33m current release clause to £13m, as they understand it is just a excuse to leave the team next summer.

Nevertheless, Rakitic's current contract expires in 2015 and the Andalucian club knows that if he does not sign a renewal they will be force to sell him this summer, or let him go for free the following season.

Liverpool have been monitoring him since last summer and reports in Spain claimed last December that Brendan Rodgers sent his scouts to watch him against Villarreal, with the Croatian excelling and grabbing two assists.

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager David Moyes is reportedly a big fan of Rakitic, as he already approached him during his spell at Everton.

Although United signed Juan Mata last January, the Premier League Champions are still looking for a creative midfielder and the Croatian is on a short-list that also includes Bayern Munich star Tony Kroos and Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan.