Rakitic out of Croatia squad amid Juve rumors

Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images

The midfielder has been replaced by Marko Rog

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has fuelled rumors about Ivan Rakitic's future after confirming the midfielder has not joined up with the national team.

Marko Rog replaces @ivanrakitic in #Croatia squad for the upcoming @UEFAEURO qualifiers against @sfzofficial and Azerbaijan. #BeProud #Family #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/AFpdm8sDah

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) September 2, 2019

Recent rumors have suggested Juventus could make a late move for Rakitic before the window closes on Monday.

Dalic told a press conference on Monday that Rakitic is not with the national team as he is trying to sort out his club future.

"Yesterday I spoke with Ivan Rakitic who still has not resolved his status at his club, and we have concluded that he is not ready or focused on the national team, that he cannot give his maximum that we need and he will not join us. Instead, we called up Marko Rog,” he said.

Rakitic has been left out of the starting XI for Barca's first three games of the season.

Dalic's comments suggest there may be an issue between Rakitic and his club, but time to complete a deal is rapidly running out.

Source: barcablaugranes.com