Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic reveals thoughts on move to Manchester United

Posted Saturday, May 04, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic reveals thoughts on move to Manchester United
Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic has been linked with a move to Manchester United (Image: GETTY)

BARCELONA star Ivan Rakitic insists he is happy at Barcelona despite speculation surrounding his future at the Nou Camp.

Rakitic, 31, could find himself on the fringes next season when Ajax sensation Frenkie de Jong arrives at the club.

De Jong, 21, has agreed to move to the Spanish giants in a £60million deal and Arthur, 22, has also firmly established himself in the Barca first team.

And Manchester United are believed to be keen on taking Rakitic to Old Trafford if he does decide to leave the Nou Camp.

However, the Croatia international has moved to play down the speculation by claiming he wants to stay put.

“I don’t want to be anywhere else,” he said.

“I hope the club, the president, the coach and the fans see this the same way I do.

“I hope they tell me that I’ll stay here for another three years.

“I’d like to be able to point to the three more years on my contract and to say I’ll be here three more years.”

Rakitic has become one of Europe’s most highly-rated midfielders since moving to Barcelona from Sevilla in 2014.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed he is only looking to sign the best players available as he looks to overhaul his struggling squad.

Solskjaer will be given significant funds to strengthen in the summer and says supporters will be ‘surprised’ by the calibre of players who want to move to the club.

“I’ll have a final say if a player comes in or go out and we’ve got regular meetings,” he said.

“I’m happy with the way it’s going and we’re supposed to sign 250 players so hopefully we can get players in you have written about as well.

“In the long term planning we have to think about being in the Champions League next year, we might not be and you’d be surprised how many players’ agents have been touting, not touting, but telling us their players would love to be a part of Manchester United in the future.

“That’s the lure and the potential and size of the club, that we will get back to the good days.

“We’ve not got up to the standards we expect but it’s up to me and the club and a season without Champions League, who knows?

“But players still want to come to Manchester United and you would be surprised by the names that ask.”