OneFootball
Lewis Ambrose·10 October 2019
OneFootball
Lewis Ambrose·10 October 2019
Ivan Rakitić has admitted his time at Barcelona could be coming to an end as he struggles to get into the team.
The Croatian has made just one LaLiga start this season following the summer arrival of Frenkie de Jong.
He is willing to fight for his place at Camp Nou but, speaking during the international break, is clear he will leave if things don’t change.
“I have two years left on my contract and there is no better place to be,” the 31-year-old insisted.
“It is the best club in the world. But I need to play and not just enjoy walks around the city and the beach.”
Rakitić was linked with moves to the likes of Inter, Juventus and Manchester United in the summer.
A move didn’t materialise, though, and he stayed in Spain.
“The truth is that I talked with people from the club and everyone knew I had options, it was no secret.
“If nothing changes we will have to sit down again with the club to talk.”
Rakitić was not even selected in the squad to face Villarreal last month, with Ernesto Valverde telling the media the midfielder was not injured.
“If Rakitic is not [in the squad], it’s because someone else is,” the Barcelona boss said to reporters.
“He hasn’t got an issue, it’s a question of players, we have a lot of options in midfield and it’s a decision for this game.”