Transfer Centre

Barcelona still open to Ivan Rakitic, Rafinha Alcantara exits?

By Sean Wilson | 02 September 2019

Barca still open to Rakitic, Rafinha exits?

Barcelona are reportedly looking to offload Ivan Rakitic and Rafinha Alcantara on deadline day as their pursuit of Neymar appears to have failed.

Barcelona are reportedly still open to the sale of midfielders Ivan Rakitic and Rafinha Alcantara on transfer deadline day.

The Catalan giants had initially offered the Croatian as part of a player-plus-cash swap deal that also included Jean-Clair Todibo and Ousmane Dembele on loan in return for Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar.

However, the possibility of that deal going through appears to be dwindling fast and as a result, the reigning La Liga champions have been forced to consider alternative means of offloading their unwanted players, according to Marca.

Rakitic wants to stay, but has been pushed out of the starting line-up by new arrival Frenkie de Jong and will be allowed to leave if a suitable offer comes in, with Juventus thought to be interested.

Additionally, Rafinha is not considered a part of head coach Ernesto Valverde's plans and has been linked with a switch to Valencia or Celta Vigo, but talks with the former have broken down and the latter are struggling to meet Barca's valuation of the Brazilian.