Barcelona are actively looking to offload Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic before the January transfer window closes.
According to a report from Spanish publication Sport, Ivan Rakitic’s future at Barcelona remains in a limbo as the La Liga champions are hoping to sell the Croatian international before the end of the ongoing transfer window.
Rakitic has been with Barcelona since 2015, having signed from Sevilla and has grown into one of the best midfielders in the game during his time with the Catalans. However, the 31-year-old has become surplus to requirements at Camp Nou in the ongoing season, following the signing of Frenkie de Jong.
Rakitic has fallen down the pecking order at Barcelona, with de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal all ahead of him, while academy product Riqui Puig is also receiving a first-team push under new manager Quique Setien. As a result, the Croat has started just 10 matches for Barcelona across all competitions this term.
There have been speculations about his future at the club, with interest from Serie A duo Inter Milan and Juventus, while Premier League giants Manchester United had also been linked with a move. None of the clubs have made an attempt to lure Rakitic, though, with the player himself believed to be happy to stay at Barcelona till the summer.
However, as per the report, Barcelona are keen on offloading the 31-year-old before the end of the month, as they look to balance the books, with a big-money move for Valencia forward Rodrigo Moreno in the works. The Catalans are hoping that if an offer from a big club comes along, Rakitic might be tempted to consider a switch.
As mentioned earlier, Juventus have shown an interest in the Croat and could look to make a move for him, with German international Emre Can on his way out of the club. Recent reports had claimed that the Bianconeri are willing to use Federico Bernardeschi as a makeweight in their attempt to land Rakitic in the ongoing transfer window.
Rakitic is contracted with Barcelona till the summer of 2021, having signed an extension with the club two years ago. It remains to be seen what the future holds for him as the club continue to look to sell him before the January transfer window slams shut on Friday.
