Ivan Rakitic has rejected the chance to join Paris Saint-Germain switch following a “few days of reflection”.
The Ligue 1 giants had been plotting a mega-money move for the Croatian, but Rakitic, 30, revealed he can’t imagine ever leaving the Nou Camp.
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Bayern Munich had also expressed interest in the World Cup-finalist this summer, but the supremo has revealed he won’t be going anywhere.
Rakitic said: “I am staying at Barcelona. There have been a few days of reflection.
“It’s a privilege to defend this badge. I hope I can keep doing so for many years.
“Nothing special convinced me to stay, this is the best club in the world.”
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The news will come as a major boost for boss Ernesto Valverde – who’d earlier expressed his desire for Rakitic to stay at Barca.
Valverde had claimed: “He is a fundamental player for us and I am counting on him due to what he does for us, the importance he had for the team last season was clear.
“I hope that he stays here. I want to have the best players here and he is one of the best.
“He knows how we play, he is integrated into the team and the club.”
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