Ivan Rakitic has backed Croatia teammate Sime Vrsaljko to be a success at Atletico Madrid -- should a reported €15 million move for the Sassuolo full-back be completed this summer.
Reports in the Spanish media have said that Atletico are interested in luring Vrsaljko, 24, to the Estadio Vicente Calderon to act as competition for current first-choice right-back Juanfran Torres.
Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli have also been credited with an interest in the former Dinamo Zagreb and Genoa defender, with his current side Sassuolo reported to be holding out for €18m.
Barcelona midfielder Rakitic told Vecernji List that international teammate Vrsaljko would fit in well with Atletico's style of play.
"Vrsaljko has exceptional stamina and is very quick," Rakitic said. "He is ready to fight for every ball, even those 10 metres off the pitch. He would be a great solution for Atletico."
Diego Simeone's side are short of cover in the full-back positions, with squad player Jesus Gamez expected to leave Atletico this summer after barely featuring at all during the 2015-16 campaign.