Barcelona are prepared to sell Ivan Rakitic in 2018, it has been revealed.

With Barca lining up a January move for Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho, the general feeling is it will be Rakitic to make way.

Indeed, the Croatia international believes, himself, that he faces demotion to the bench should Coutinho arrive and is already discussing with agents his options.

Inside the boardroom, Diario Gol says there's a belief Rakitic has peaked and now would be the ideal time to cash in on the midfielder.

Barca have fielded enquiries from Manchester United and Manchester City over the last 12 months and they are sure to try again should Rakitic become available. A swap involving Coutinho has also been floated by the Catalan press.

If a major offer should arrive for Rakitic in January, there is now a good chance Barca will accept, particularly if a deal for Coutinho is settled.