Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Liverpool and Man Utd suffer transfer heartache with Ivan Rakitic Barcelona bound
LIVERPOOL and Manchester United have both been given the brush off by Sevilla star Ivan Rakitic, who is poised to sign for Barcelona.
Both Premier League outfits have been tracking the Croatia midfielder for a while, such were his impressive displays in La Liga last season.
The former Schalke star had also received offers from Real Madrid and Atletico according to his father.
But reports on the continent indicate Barca have won the race for his signature and the 26-year-old will agree a five-year contract which will see him net £8million a year.
The transfer fee is expected to be in the region of £20m.
If he leaves, we'll try and sign another Rakitic
Sevilla coach Unai Emery was already resigned to losing Rakitic when he said earlier this week: "I could understand if Rakitic leaves.
"In an ideal world, he would stay but I know he has several offers. If he leaves, we'll try and sign another Rakitic."
Rakitic hit 13 goals for Sevilla last term.