Ivan Rakitic offered Barcelona escape route as Villarreal join host of clubs in race to sign star after president says 'I like him a lot as a footballer'

RED_NEWS - Villarreal president Fernando Roig has declared his interest in Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, saying 'I like him a lot as a footballer' and hinting at a space for him in the squad. 

Rakitic's current deal at the Nou Camp is due to expire in 2021 and, with the increasing need to reduce the wage bill following the £108million arrival of Antoine Griezmann, he could be shown the door. 

The Croatian has been repeatedly linked with a move away, with Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain all in the picture, but it is believed the 32-year-old will most likely stay in Spain. 

With that, Roig told Cadena Cope's El Partidazo programme: 'I like him a lot as a footballer, if he wants to come to Villarreal, we are here.'

Rakitic's wife is a native of Seville and it is believed the pair are keen to return to the city in which they first met. 

However, earlier this month the front page of Seville-based Estadio Deportivo announced it was 'Sevilla or nothing' for the central midfielder, who captained the club to the 2014 Europa League title.   

Rakitic then made the move from Sevilla to Barcelona and has since accrued more than 250 appearances for the Spanish giants.

Rakitic has struggled to play regular football at the Nou Camp this season following the arrival of Frenkie De Jong from Ajax and is believed to want a move away from the club for regular first-team football.

The arrival of Frenkie De Jong from Ajax last summer has seen the Rakitic lose his place in the first team and led to questions marks over his future.

Rakitic had played in 31 matches for Barcelona this season before the coronavirus pandemic brought football to a standstill, but had only started 15 of those. 

Most of his game time in LaLiga and the Champions League has come off the bench despite being a regular starter in previous seasons. 

He has won four Spanish league titles, four Spanish Cups, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup and is one game shy of 300 appearances for Barcelona.