Barcelona ace Ivan Rakitic admits he was close to leaving in January

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has confessed that he was close to leaving Camp Nou in January, according to Sport.

The 31-year-old was one of the players linked with an exit in the winter exchange, with clubs like Manchester United and Inter Milan monitoring his situation. However, he opted to stay with the Catalans in the end.

Following last night’s win over Levante, Rakitic opened about his situation with Barca at present and the missed chance of leaving them in the winter exchange.

"I can say very clearly that things have happened that I have not liked. I have not deserved some of the behaviour (towards me)."  

"You (the media) also know how things are, but it's not the moment to open this issue again, but of course I have planned to leave because it's been a complicated time."

However, the Croatian ace vowed that he would help the club at least for the rest of the season.

"Now I want to turn the page and work hard to help the team in the decisive moment of the season." 

Rakitic was also linked in a swap deal with Juventus involving Federico Bernardeschi, but a move never got materialised.

The ex-Sevilla man fell down the pecking order of then manager Ernesto Valverde from the start of the season, however, he is starting to get his recognition back under Quique Setien.