Ernesto Valverde: 'Andre Gomes, Ivan Rakitic in my plans'

Ivan Rakitic at a Barcelona training session on December 5, 2016
© SilverHub
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde plays down reports that midfielders Andre Gomes and Ivan Rakitic could be sold ahead of the new campaign.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has denied suggestions that midfield duo Andre Gomes and Ivan Rakitic could be sold in this summer's transfer window.

Last month, it was claimed that Croatian midfielder Rakitic would be made surplus to requirements if Barcelona managed to seal the signing of Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti.

Gomes, meanwhile, struggled to impress during his first season at Barcelona, and the Portugal international faced whistles from sections of Camp Nou during the 2016-17 campaign.

Valverde, however, has said that Rakitic and Gomes are both 'in his plans' for the new season.

"They are my players and I consider them in my plans," Valverde told reporters.

The former Athletic Bilbao boss also said that it "would be great" if the Catalan giants signed Verratti this summer, but the Spaniard is not obsessing over the deal.

Athletic Bilbao's coach Ernesto Valverde looks on during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club Bilbao at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 20, 2014
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