Sevilla club President Jose Castro has made clear that his team “Have no need to sell” their prize midfielder Ivan Rakitic but also won’t stand in the way of the Croat should he decide to leave the club.
The midfielder is hot property and is wanted by numerous European clubs after enjoying a fantastic season last term, leading his side to a fifth place finish in the league and a Europa League trophy.
The 26 year-old’s father revealed this weke that the top three sides in Spain – Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona – have all placed offers to aquire the Rakitic’s services.
While Castro admits he will not force his star assset to stay, he claims that the midfielder has had a significant contract offer from Sevilla and that the side do not need to make money from him.
Castro told Sevilla’s television channel: “The last offer we made to Rakitic was a significant percentage of our total budget,”
“We made this offer because we want him to sign.
“We want to make sure that he stays, not that he leaves. We want the team to be strong and for all Sevillistas to enjoy it.
“We won’t make anyone stay who doesn’t want to be at Sevilla. Anyone who wants to walk through the door can do it, though it has to be at our price.
“We are relaxed and we have no need to sell.”
Rakitic, who’s current contract with Sevilla expires in 2015, is currently preparing with his national side ahead of the World Cup that starts in just over a week.
By Phil Wellbrook
