Arsenal are preparing to battle it out with Manchester United this summer for Barcelona superstar Ivan Rakitic, according to reports.

Rakitic has been heavily rumoured to be on his way out of the Camp Nou at the end of the season, with Bundesliga giants Byaern Munich favourites to land the Croatian midfielder.

However new reports from Spain now suggest that both Arsenal and United are leading the race for the Barcelona star, with both ready to splash as much as £70 million to bring him to the Premier League.

The Gunners are in the market for midfielders because of the uncertainly over Jack Wilshere, who is out of contract at the end of the season, with Arsene Wenger keen to add more star quality to his squad after another difficult season in North London.

Rakitic has made 27 starts in La Liga this season for Champions elect Barca, however his role at the club could be set to take a step-back should the Catalans complete a move for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann this summer.

Barcelona are hot favourites to land the highly rated Frenchman, however his arrival could all but spell the end of Rakitic’s four season spell at the club.

Rakitic joined Barca in 2014 from La Liga rivals Sevilla, and has since made 206 appearances, scoring 30 goals.