Barcelona Star Opens Up On Those Manchester United Transfer Rumours

Barcelona Star Opens Up On Those Manchester United Transfer Rumours

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has played down reports that he could be leaving the Camp Nou. 

Reports in the Catalan media had suggested that the Croatian international’s situation is being monitored by Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.


Barca have already signed Frenkie de Jong from Ajax and are also closing in on PSG’s Adrien Rabiot. With both players expected to arrive in the summer, Rakitic’s time at the La Liga side could be coming to an end.

The Croatian has said, however, he is not expecting to leave and wants to extend his stay at the club:

“Since I’ve been here I do not know how many times I’ve left and I’m back. I’m more than happy here and my intention is to be here longer. I gave the president a little nudge to see if he would wake up with my renewal.”

Rakitic’s current deal runs until 2021. Much may depend on where he fits into manager Ernesto Valverde’s plans next summer. At 30 years of age, he is nine years older than de Jong and seven years older than Rabiot.

With that being the case, a departure from Barcelona would be more likely if the Catalan club are looking to make room for younger talent.

Rakitic has made 245 appearances for Barca during his four and a half years at the Spanish champions, racking up 33 goals and 33 assists in the process.

David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.