Barcelona star's agent speaks out amid Manchester United transfer interest

By Jeremy Cross, Chief Sports Writer 

Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic has snubbed a transfer move to Manchester United

The Croatian international is a target of United boss Jose Mourinho as he looks to add more firepower to his squad.

Mourinho has pinpointed Rakitic as someone he is desperate to sign ahead of next season and values him in the £35m bracket.

Rakitic joined the Spanish giants from Sevilla in 2014 and has gone on to become one of the best midfielders in European football.

The Catalan outfit are believed to be keen to extend the midfielder's contract instead and insist he is not for sale.

Ivan Rakitic is happy at Barcelona and has rejected Man United's transfer approach

Rakitic's agent Arturo Canales insists his client loves life in Spain and has no intention of leaving the Nou Camp.

He said: "Ivan is very happy at FC Barcelona, where he has been tremendously successful and has a contract with the club until 2019."

Rakitic has made nine La Liga appearances this season and has scored twice.

Mourinho reckons Rakitic could be a long-term replacement for Manchester United veteran Michael Carrick.

 

            

   

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho wants to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic

Carrick has struggled for game time this season and is desperate to be recalled when Arsenalvisit Old Trafford this weekend.

The former England star, 35, reckons he can still be successful at United but has refused to rule out leaving them at the end of this season.

He said: "You never know. This is such a great club with great players that you can't take it for granted.

"I'm here again this season and want to play my part. Hopefully I can play more of a part in the months ahead and strive for success, get some silverware and try to win some more trophies.

"I'm 35 now and I've got to be realistic. I'm not going to make predictions about what's going to be happening next season.

"We are not even at Christmas yet. I just want to play as many games as I can and then see how the body is feeling. That's the biggest gauge, if you like.

"If I feel that I can still do it (at this level) and the manager thinks I can still do it then there are a lot of things to come into the equation, so I'm not going to be making any rash judgements just yet."

daily star.co.uk