Barcelona are ready to sell midfielder amid Manchester United interest

Barcelona are reportedly prepared to sanction the sale of midfielder Ivan Rakitic amid interest from the likes of Manchester United and Inter Milan.

The Croatian has been one of the Blaugrana's most consistent performers on the playing field and he contributed five goals and 10 assists during their league success last term.

Despite this, his future has remained a regular talking point and Cadena Ser claims that manager Ernesto Valverde is willing to sanction his sale in the current transfer window.

The same publication adds that United and Inter are in the running to sign the 31-year-old, although they would still have to match the Blaugrana's £49m price for the Croatian.

Rakitic has spent the past five seasons with the Spanish champions and during this period, he has won four league titles, four Copa del Rey crowns and one Champions League.

He has previously cited that he has no ambition of leaving the Blaugrana but the arrival of Frenkie Jong could tempt him to pursue a fresh challenge with his gametime likely to be reduced.