City not pursuing Barcelona midfielder

 

Manchester City are not looking to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic this month despite reports claiming a deal was on the verge of being completed, claims Sky Sports.

 

Rakitic was left out of the Barcelona squad that drew 1-1 with Villarreal on Sunday evening which prompted suggestions the Croatia international was on his way out of the Camp Nou with City set to land his signature.

 

Luis Enrique has struggled to find a new role for Rakitic in Barcelona’s midfield in the wake of Dani Alves’ departure in the summer and the 28-year-old has dropped down the pecking order as a result in recent months.

 

City not pursuing Barcelona midfielder

 

The former Sevilla midfielder’s existing deal is due to expire in 2019 but Barcelona are reportedly working on extending his stay at the club, with reports suggesting he could join Pep Guardiola at City this month believed to be wide of the mark.

 

No player outside of Barcelona’s formidable front three has scored more goals in La Liga in the last three seasons than Rakitic (14).

 

For more stats on Ivan Rakitic, click here to visit his WhoScored player page