There were rumors about Ivan Rakitić joining Widzew Lodz, a Polish club. However, the club president, Robert Dobrzycki, denied any contact with Rakitić, stating that it was an exaggeration and that such a transfer is unlikely to happen. Despite the recent influx of wealthy owners and the hiring of high-profile staff like Željko Sopić at Widzew Lodz, the stories about Rakitić and Perišić were dismissed as unrealistic. Dobrzycki clarified that no discussions had taken place with either player, putting an end to speculations fueled by interest in bringing high-caliber players to the club.