Ivan Rakitic is still a Barcelona player despite months of intense speculation that he was on the move.
The Croatian was believed to be unsettled at the Nou Camp after the signing of Andre Gomes from Valencia in a £50million deal, so unsurprisingly, several of Europe’s top clubs were alerted.
Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo report that Manchester United then tried to sign the midfielder, though the player himself moved to deny that he was unhappy in Catalonia.
Of course, as it turned out, Paul Pogba was United’s marquee signing this summer, but Rakitic certainly would have been no mean addition.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was reportedly also considering bidding for the Barca star, and Chelsea’s midfield could have done with his impeccable passing following Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic’s dips in form last season.
As it stands, Rakitic remains with the La Liga champions, but if he is ousted from the first team by Gomes, there’s every chance Premier League clubs will come knocking again next year.
Check out Football Advisor for profitable betting predictions
