Barcelona Transfer News: Ivan Rakitic's Agent Drops Hint After Andre Gomes Move

The agent of Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has hinted it could be time for his client to leave the Camp Nou, after it was announced Valencia star Andre Gomes will join the club next week. The deal could also see Martin Montoya and Cristian Tello move in the opposite direction.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan cited Spanish daily Sport, which pointed to a cryptic tweet from Rakitic's representative, Miquel Sors, that was understood to read "It's time to leave":

AS reported on Thursday that a deal potentially worth £45.8 million had been agreed between Barca and Valencia for Gomes' signature (via BBC Sport), although the transfer isn't set to go through until next week.

It's natural one might read Sors' tweet and assume Rakitic, a player who will now compete with Gomes for a place, could be most at risk at the Camp Nou, but the agent clarified his message, per Sport: "At no point have I referred to anyone in particular. I simply referred to the overbooking, nothing more. We are delighted to be here. [...] It was a personal opinion, nothing more. Nothing in it, end of the matter, case closed."

While it may just be a personal opinion, it does seem strange for the agent of such a high-profile star to tweet such a message, particularly given the timing just after Gomes' acquisition was announced.

One way or the other, Sors appears to feel one of his clients may be better off outside the Camp Nou, although Corrigan relayed that Rakitic also happens to be angling for a new deal:

The Gomes deal is yet to officially go through, however, and Sport reported Montoya and Tello could be used in part-exchange to make up for a portion of the big-money payment heading to the Mestalla.

That being said, the Mirror's Ed Malyon voiced his belief Rakitic is far too important an asset at the Camp Nou to be forced out, regardless of whether or not Gomes arrives next week:

Tello, 24, and Montoya, 25, have each had a difficult time gaining any prominence at Barca in recent years, and manager Luis Enrique now appears prepared to let both leave the club.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, the pair returned for pre-season training three weeks early after being told not to report back until next month by decree of Enrique (h/t Football Espana).

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Enrique couldn't prevent his two misfits from training, however, as Spanish football law states a manager can only stop players from participating in the event of "illness, injury or suspension."

Tello spent the second half of last season on loan with Fiorentina, while Montoya moved to Real Betis on temporary terms in February before returning to his parent club this month.