BARCELONA are prepared to lose Ivan Rakitic with the midfielder pushing for a move back to his old club Sevilla, Spanish reports claim.
The Croatian spent four seasons at Sevilla before heading north to Barca in 2014 and it is claimed the 32-year-old wants to end his career at his former side.
Ivan Rakitic has become frustrated at his lack of playing time this season
Spanish paper SPORT report Rakitic wants to move back to Sevilla
SPORT report that LaLiga champions Barca have accepted Rakitic will leave the club after six years of service but with his contract expiring in summer 2021 they want to sell the playmaker to avoid losing him on a free.
It is understood Rakitic turned down a move to Juventus in the winter window as the Serie A kings offered £39million for the former Champions League winner.
Manchester United also showed interest, though the midfielder has his heart set on a move back to Sevilla.
Rakitic won the Europa League in his last season with the Spanish club and also met his wife Raquel Mauri there in 2011 with the couple marrying two years later.
The Croat has made just 15 starts in his 31 appearances this season, failing to record a goal.
Barca signed Dutchman Frenkie de Jong for £65m from Ajax with the 22-year-old fitting into Spanish champions three-man midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and Arthur Melo with Arturo Vidal also competing for a position.
Rakitic revealed in February that he decided against leaving in the January transfer window so he could help Barca turn their season around – which they did by leaping ahead of Real Madrid to top the table.
He said: “I’ve been through some bad times, but it’s now in the past.
“I can say very clearly that things have happened that I have not liked. I have not deserved some of the behaviour (towards me).
“It’s not the moment to open this issue again, but of course I have planned to leave because it’s been a complicated time.
“Now I want to turn the page and work hard to help the team in the decisive moment of the season.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
