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Barcelona transfer news: Ivan Rakitic dismisses Man Utd and Chelsea rumours
BARCELONA midfielder Ivan Rakitic has dismissed rumours linking him to Manchester United and Chelsea.
The Croatian has been linked with a move to the Premier League this January thanks to Frankie De Jong’s big transfer to Catalonia.
Rakitic, who played an instrumental part in Croatia’s World Cup run, is likely to settle for less game time in coming months.
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De Jong, who signed for £75m from Ajax earlier this month, is touted to be one of Europe’s next top midfielders.
He nearly joined the likes of Manchester City and PSG before Barca swooped to get him on their books.
But that could spell the end for the 30-year-old Rakitic.
The nifty midfielder is open to contract talks at the Nou Camp, but is waiting for an offer from the club.
He also spoke about the swirling rumours surrounding his Barca future.
“Since I’ve been here I do not know how many times I’ve left and I’m back,” Rakitic said.
“I’m more than happy here and my intention is to be here longer."
Rakitic isn’t the only player with his future up in the air, though, as the same could be said for Philippe Coutinho.
Coutinho has been linked with a controversial move to Manchester United, following an ordinary year at the Nou Camp.
The move would surely anger Liverpool fans, who the Brazilian used to play in front of before his big move to Spain.
Barca chiefs, however, are said to be keen on keeping Coutinho, as they still believe he can replace Andres Iniesta.
Whereas Rakitic, who scored in the 2015 Champions League final for Barcelona, has yet to receive fresh contract talks.
“I gave the president a little nudge to see if he would wake up with my renewal,” he added.