Fc Barcelona’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic was interviewed by Rac1 radio shortly after the Catalan side’s win over Sevilla in the Spanish Liga. The talented and experienced midfielder, a consolidated starter for both Barca and the Croatian national team, had been linked to Inter by some rumours in the Italian and Spanish media.
With Ajax’s Frenkie de Jong already confirmed to be joining Barcelona in June, and PSG’s Adrien Rabiot probably on his way as well, it is though that Rakitic might loose his secured starting spot in Barca’s 11. Thus, speculation that he was looking for a transfer to a club where he could still be a leader and a protagonist. Inter’s management was supposedly interested and working on a contract proposal.
Yet, Rakitic himself denied the possibility of him leaving Barcelona anytime soon in the aforementioned pitch-side interview. The Croatian said: “I still have a three-year contract with Barcelona, and what I want is to stay”.
He went as far as to declare that he “laughs at what people and the media say about his future”.
Again, he repeated: “the interest of other clubs is flattering but I only see myself at Barcelona.”
Rakitic’s words certainly dealt a significant blow to Inter fans’ hopes of seeing him in the nerazzurri shirt. It remains to be seen whether the rumours will die down completely or whether the prospect of young competition could change Rakitic’s mind.
