Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic rules out Chelsea move

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has reiterated his desire to stay at the club amid interest linking him with a move to Chelsea.

The Blues are understood to have identified Rakitic as a possible replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who left the club to join Monaco earlier this month.

The Croatian international's current contract at Camp Nou expires in 2021, but after helping Barcelona to a 6-1 Copa del Rey triumph over his former club Sevilla, Rakitic confirmed that he wants to extend his stay.

"Since I've been here, I don't know how many times I've said that I want to stay and I'll say it again," he is quoted as saying by Marca.

"I'm more than happy here and my intention is to be here even longer. I gave the president a little reminder to see if he could get my renewal going.

"We want to do things right in the Copa and we played a great game so we enjoyed it and are on the right track. I still have a lot of respect for my Sevilla and this hurts a little to do that but I'm here to give my best. I just hope that it can be a final against Betis."

Rakitic joined Barcelona in 2014 and has since made almost 250 appearances for the club across all competitions.