Ivan Rakitić Given Final Decision on January Exit as Barcelona Look to Sell Midfielder

Barcelona are hoping to sell Ivan Rakitić once the January transfer window opens, but will ultimate leave the decision to the midfielder.

After impressing in his first five seasons at Camp Nou, the Croat found himself out of favour in the summer, with both Inter and Atletico Madrid thought to be amongst a long list of suitors.

La Blaugrana tried to help engineer a move away from the club before the 2019/20 season began, but were unable to agree a deal for his transfer.

Rakitić recently admitted he was ‘sad’ in Catalonia, having tumbled down the pecking order. He made at least 30 La Liga appearances in every season with Barça until the current campaign, in which he has started only one match.

He will, however, be given the final say about where his future lies, after sporting director Eric Abidal admitted (via Mundo Deportivo) that the pair have already been transparent with each other about Rakitić’s future.

“I will speak to Ivan, although I have always spoken to him,” he said. “But, we have to be transparent – between what the coach thinks, what we think as a club, explain to him what the plan is, and also have his feedback on a sporting level.

Abidal went on to acknowledge the player’s concerns, saying: “Of course he feels sad, because he is not playing much, just like every player who isn’t playing. It’s true that he’s a player with a lot more charisma than others, who has played a lot at a high level.

“But, for me nothing changes the situation with Rakitić or any other player, because the problem is the [lack of] minutes he is playing.”

Though it’s clear Barcelona are eager to get the playmaker off their books, they rejected a €15m bid for his services from an unknown Premier League club in early November.

Despite his struggles this term, Rakitić has suggested he could continue representing Ernesto Valverde’s side for the remainder of the season, claiming he is ’determined’ to fight his way back into contention.

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