Skip to content

Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic reveals new contract talks are underway

Toru Hanai / Reuters

Ivan Rakitic is set to begin 2016 in a similar vain to a fantastic 2015 with fresh terms being offered to the Barcelona man.

"I have a contract until 2019, but we already started negotiating about renewal," Rakitic told 24 sata via FourFourTwo.

The Croatian picked up five winners' medals in 2015, but he notes it was an important year off the pitch too.

"My favourite moment of 2015 was scoring a goal in the Champions League final. Last year was great both in my professional and private life. My wife is pregnant, we will have second daughter in four months."

He stressed he's unconcerned about Arda Turan's availability following the close of Barcelona's transfer ban, and is focused on adding more silverware to his club's already bulging trophy cabinet.

"I know it will be very hard to equal 2015, but I will try to make 2016 at least as good. No-one ever defended the Champions League title, there is our motivation."

The last team to successfully defend the continent's most coveted title was AC Milan in the competition's previous incarnation, the European Cup.

Barcelona looks to continue its assault on Spanish football Wednesday with the return fixture at Espanyol in what's been a heated Copa del Rey meeting.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox