Rakitic hasn’t spoken to Valverde about his future

Photo by Eric Alonso/MB Media/Getty Images

The midfielder has been linked with a January exit

Ivan Rakitic says he hasn’t spoken to manager Ernesto Valverde about his Barcelona future amid speculation he could leave the club.

The midfielder was benched by Valverde at the start of the season but has returned to the starting XI for the last few weeks while Arthur has been out injured.

Rakitic has reiterated several times this season that he does not want to leave the club, and his latest comments again suggest he’s not expecting to depart.

“No [we haven’t spoken]. There’s nothing to say, I think everything is clear,” he said.

”For me, it’s important to enjoy football. I’m happy to go to training in the morning and prepare myself for a match in the best way possible.

”In the end, it’s the coach who decides who plays and how much.”

Source | Sportske Novosti

Barcelona are expected to allow some players to leave in the January transfer window.

Carles Alena looks set to join Real Betis on loan, while Arturo Vidal continues to be linked with a move to Inter Milan.

Source: barcablaugranes.com