Rakitic dreams of staying at Barcelona 'forever'

Ivan Rakitic has no desire to leave Barcelona, now or ever.

The Croatian midfielder, linked with Manchester City and Juventus in recent weeks, confirmed his agent is currently discussing an extension to his Barcelona contract.

If it was up to him, there would be no end date.

"My dream is to stay here forever," Rakitic told Mundo Deportivo, in quotes published by Sky Sports. "The (club) president and my representative Arturo Canales are in talks to reach the best thing for both."

Rakitic has reclaimed his spot in Luis Enrique's starting XI after a brief absence from the lineup. A dip in form, as well as an ankle injury, prevented a running start to 2017, and prompted suggestions he would depart for City.

His contract with the Blaugrana expires in 2019, meaning there is no real urgency to re-sign Rakitic, especially considering the more time-sensitive negotiations with talismans Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, whose deals end a year earlier.

Rakitic said he has not rejected any offer from Barcelona, adding: "I trust that I will stay."

Signed from Sevilla in 2014 as a long-term replacement for Xavi, the 28-year-old swapped his previous existence as a No. 10 to become a deep-lying playmaker.

His role, however, is no longer certain: Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes are also alternatives in the position, while the club is more and more defined by its attack than what it does in the centre of the park.

But Rakitic is apparently ready to fight for his place at Camp Nou, and maintain a spot there for the remainder of his career.