Deal Off: No Barcelona Exit For Chelsea Target

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has reiterated his desire to stay at the club beyond this summer despite the intense transfer links involving him and a possible move away from the Spanish La Liga outfit.

According to Spanish media portal Marca, Ivan Rakitic wants to stay at the club until the end of his contract at Spanish champions Barcelona.

The Croatian international told reporters in his latest interview monitored by Marca that he would like to stay at the Nou Camp until his Barcelona contract expires in 2021.

Ivan Rakitic was initially at loggerheads with his club after his request for a pay rise cum new contract was not granted.

• Liverpool could lose signing this box-to-box midfield maestro.

The Croatian midfielder was then linked with major European clubs like French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain (PSG), Inter Milan and West London giants Chelsea.

A possible move to Chelsea is off after the player’s latest admission that he will see pit the last two years of his contract at Barcelona.

Chelsea are expected to add a new midfielder to their fold having failed to sign one when Cesc Fabregas left the club for French club AS Monaco in January.

The Blues will have to wait on their appeal against the two-window transfer ban slapped on the club by FIFA for illegal transfer dealings involving underage players.