Rakitic Rues Missed Chance To Play For Bayern Munich

Rakitic returned to Sevilla at the start of this season, having spent the previous six campaigns with Barcelona, where he won four Spanish La Liga titles, four Copa del Reys and one UEFA Champions League among other honours.

The 33-year-old former Croatia international has revealed he was offered to Bayern Munich during the last days of his stay with Barcelona but the German champions declined the opportunity to sign him, preventing an opportunity to reunite with his former Schalke 04 teammate Manuel Neuer.

"Honestly? I really didn't know anything about it," Rakitic told Sport 1 when asked about the report that Bayern were offered and turned down his services in 2019.

"I think it's a shame that my buddy Brazzo [Hasan Salihamidzic, Bayern sporting director] made that decision. I would have liked to play again with Manu [Manuel Neuer].

"Joking aside: You have talked about it once, but nothing more. To be part of FC Bayern is certainly a huge honour. What this club has built up over the past few years is amazing.

"One can only congratulate those responsible for this. Bayern are still the biggest club in Europe, even if they were knocked out of the Champions League."