Football

Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic ready to reject Manchester United move for ‘family reasons’


Ivan Rakitic could leave Barcelona in January (Picture: Getty)

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is unlikely to make a move to Manchester United in January due to ‘family reasons’.

The Croatian is out of favour at the Camp Nou and is being tipped to leave the Catalans after five-and-a-half-years at the club.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to strengthen his midfield having allowed the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera to leave in the last 12 months without signing a replacement.

Rakitic, 31, has been touted as a viable option given his wealth of experience and the fact that Barcelona are willing to sell the former Sevilla man.

Rakitic has started just one league game so far this term (Picture: Getty)

However, ESPN report that Rakitic would be against a move to the Theatre of Dreams because of issues in his private life.

The midfielder’s family are settled in Spain having spent the last nine years there and he’s likely to seek a move to another La Liga club should Barcelona force him out of the exit door.

Rakitic has started just one league match this term following the arrival of Frenkie De Jong and Barcelona want to get the Croatian off their wage bill.

United were interested in Sean Longstaff last summer but baulked at Newcastle’s £50m valuation of the midfielder.

The club showed interest in Sporting Lisbon ace Bruno Fernandes but decided against a move for the 24-year-old.

Solskjaer will be given significant funds to spend in January but there is already pressure on his position with United already 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.

MORE: Why Man Utd chose not to battle Atletico Madrid to sign Joao Felix





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