€125m Barca star doesn't want to be swapped for Verratti
Recent reports indicated that the former Sevilla man would be sent to Paris Saint-Germain in exchange for Marco Verratti and cash, likely a sum in the region of €70 million.
Mundo Deportivo claim, however, that the 29-year-old doesn’t want to be exchanged, and wants to keep playing for the Catalans. He has a deal which will keep him in Spain until 2021, and one with an €125m release clause included.
The Croatian star hasn’t had a positive season with Barcelona, who were skittled by Juventus in the Champions League quarter-finals, Rakitic playing a poor game at the J Stadium as the Blaugrana lost 3-0.
Reports indicated that Andre Gomes, who has also had a bad season, could also be swapped for Verratti.
Still, the 29-year-old Rakitic may be seen as a surer thing, as he has scored 26 goals in 159 games for Barcelona.
Verratti and agent Donato Di Campli have been pushing for a move away for some time.
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