Man Utd target Rakitic and Arsenal favourite Umtiti will be blocked from making summer transfers, reveals Barcelona president

BARCELONA have ruled out departures for Manchester United target Ivan Rakitic and Arsenal target Samuel Umtiti.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu claims the duo are set to remain at the Nou Camp despite interest from abroad.

Rakitic, 31, has been linked with a £43million move to United after Barcelona spent £70m on Ajax’s Frenkie de Jong.

Juventus are also said to be interested, but Bartomeu is adamant he wants Rakitic to remain in Spain.

The Barca chief said: “Rakitic has a contract and we are very happy with him.

“I had a conversation with him in the summer and I told him that we could talk to improve his contract.

“We have not talked because of the calendar and because it’s not easy due to the balance of wages, but we will talk to him.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

“He’s an indisputable player and he becomes better every year.”

Also set to stay in the Catalan capital is Umtiti.

The French World Cup winner, 25, has found himself frozen out of the first-team picture following the emergence of compatriot Clement Lenglet.

Arsenal have reportedly been weighing up a £68m bid after it emerged that Juventus had pulled out of the race.

But Bartomeu wants Umtiti to fight for his place under Ernesto Valverde, adding: “We renewed Umtiti before the World Cup.

“He has four years left on his contract and there is no Umtiti issue.

“Having Umtiti and Lenglet on the left is a guarantee and I would like him to continue.”