Cheaper Fernandes alternative leaves door ajar on Man Utd transfer Ivan Rakitic has refused to close the door on a move away from Barcelona this summer. Rakitic, 31, says that he is intending to stay in Catalonia, but tempered it be saying he is also ready to consider offers should any suitable bids come in for him this summer The Croatia midfielder has been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool, while Chelsea have also been rumoured to be interested in him. In May, according to Don Balon, Liverpool had opened talks with Barcelona over a surprise deal for Rakitic, but more recently reports have claimed United are lining up Rakitic to replace Ander Herrera. On Saturday a report from the Daily Star suggested that United had turned back to Rakitic over a fear that they will be priced out of deals for Bruno Fernandes and Sean Longstaff with Sporting wanting £65m for the former and Newcastle chasing £50million for the latter. And Rakitic has certainly not killed the talk dead: “I spoke with the club and the coach and we share the same point of view. My idea is to continue with Barca. I am open, but my idea is very clear — it is my intention to continue here and to continue to enjoy it as I have a few years left on my contract. “I do not mind speaking about my future, I know football generally works like this. In a way, other teams wanting me fills me with pride as it means that I am doing things the right way. I can only see myself here. Everything else must be taken in a calm manner,” Rakitic told a news conference. Frenkie de Jong’s arrival from Ajax is expected to shunt Rakitic down the Barca pecking order, but the experienced midfielder, who appeared 54 times for the Baaugrana last season, is up for the fight. “Here you have to work and whoever performs is the one who plays,” he added. “I will work hard so that the coach can count on me. I want to give the absolute best of myself, but the important thing is that we’re a strong group.” The post Cheaper Fernandes alternative leaves door ajar on Man Utd transfer appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Ivan Rakitic has refused to close the door on a move away from Barcelona this summer.

Rakitic, 31, says that he is intending to stay in Catalonia, but tempered it be saying he is also ready to consider offers should any suitable bids come in for him this summer

The Croatia midfielder has been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool, while Chelsea have also been rumoured to be interested in him.

In May, according to Don Balon, Liverpool had opened talks with Barcelona over a surprise deal for Rakitic, but more recently reports have claimed United are lining up Rakitic to replace Ander Herrera.

On Saturday a report from the Daily Star suggested that United had turned back to Rakitic over a fear that they will be priced out of deals for Bruno Fernandes and Sean Longstaff with Sporting wanting £65m for the former and Newcastle chasing £50million for the latter.

And Rakitic has certainly not killed the talk dead: “I spoke with the club and the coach and we share the same point of view. My idea is to continue with Barca. I am open, but my idea is very clear — it is my intention to continue here and to continue to enjoy it as I have a few years left on my contract.

“I do not mind speaking about my future, I know football generally works like this. In a way, other teams wanting me fills me with pride as it means that I am doing things the right way. I can only see myself here. Everything else must be taken in a calm manner,” Rakitic told a news conference.

Frenkie de Jong’s arrival from Ajax is expected to shunt Rakitic down the Barca pecking order, but the experienced midfielder, who appeared 54 times for the Baaugrana last season, is up for the fight.

“Here you have to work and whoever performs is the one who plays,” he added. “I will work hard so that the coach can count on me. I want to give the absolute best of myself, but the important thing is that we’re a strong group.”

The post Cheaper Fernandes alternative leaves door ajar on Man Utd transfer appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Matthew Briggs