Ivan Rakitic not keen on leaving Barcelona this summer
According to a report from Sport via Sport Witness (h/t Football.london), Tottenham Hotspur target Ivan Rakitic is not interested in leaving La Liga giants Barcelona in the current transfer window.
The 32-year-old has entered the final year of his contract with Barcelona. And it has been claimed that he could be one of the large contingent of players to be shown the exit doors at Camp Nou this summer, following their humiliating exit from the Champions League this past season.
This had piqued the interest of Tottenham Hotspur, who as per the report, are ‘insisting’ on signing him. It does not come as a surprise considering that the team is lacking a creative presence in the middle following Christian Eriksen’s exit last January.
Furthermore, Rakitic would add a leadership presence in the middle of the park, somehting which we could definitely do with heading into the new season. In addition, Spurs’ boss Jose Mourinho is a known admirer of the Croatian international as well.
However, as per the report, Rakitic, despite being in the final year of his contract, is not keen on leaving Barcelona. The Croatian lost his place in the starting XI and was reduced to a bit part role over the course of the last season. However, he still prefers to stay put at Camp Nou.
And if he is indeed forced to leave the club, the midfielder would prefer to return to former club Sevilla, from whom he joined Barcelona back in 2014, rather move abroad. (h/t Football.london)
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Rakitic, at 32, is entering the final phase of his career. Nevertheless, his experience and winning mentality would have made him a handy short-term signing for us. However, it seems like that may not happen, with the player wishing to stay put in Spain.