Ivan Rakitic sends message to Barcelona board

Ivan Rakitic sent a clear message to the Barcelona board after they lifted the La Liga title – that he wants to stay at the club.

The Croatian is determined to stay at the club despite the impending arrival of Frenkie De Jong

Diario Sport had reported early in the month that Barcelona have no plans to renew the contract of Ivan Rakitic and are open to offers for the midfielder.

His current deal at the club runs through until the summer of 2021 although Barca signed midfielders Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo last summer and Frenkie De Jong will arrive Nou Camp from Ajax this summer.

“I don’t want to be anywhere else,” the Croatian 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.

“Anything can happen in football, but I am very calm about it all.”

His agent Arturo Canales is reported to have said that the midfielder would not be leaving the club this summer although the Spanish media have cast doubt upon such claims.