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Ivan Rakitic 'to reject Manchester United interest, stay at Barcelona'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 25 March 2019

Ivan Rakitic 'to reject Man Utd interest'

Barcelona reportedly agree to offer Ivan Rakitic a new contract on the insistence of manager Ernesto Valverde, dealing a blow to Manchester United's hopes of signing him.

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic will reportedly reject any interest from Manchester United in order to stay at Camp Nou this summer.

Rakitic's current contract expires in 2021, but his future has come under scrutiny this season following last summer's signings of Arturo Vidal and Arthur, as well as an agreement to bring Frenkie de Jong to the club at the end of this term.

United and Serie A outfit Inter Milan were understood to be monitoring the situation with a view to poaching the Croatia international, despite Rakitic repeatedly stating that he wants to stay at Barcelona.

AS now claims that Barcelona will offer Rakitic a new contract on the insistence of manager Ernesto Valverde, rather than letting him leave the club.

Valverde reportedly included the stipulation that Rakitic would not be sold in his agreement to sign a new contract with the club himself last month.

Barca remain reluctant to offer the 31-year-old a pay rise, but will grant him an extension beyond the end of his current deal.

Rakitic joined Barcelona in 2014 and has gone on to make more than 250 appearances for the club, winning three league titles and one Champions League in the process.