Roma chief Monchi has admitted interest in Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

Roma meet Barca in the Champions League quarterfinals and Monchi was asked which players from the Catalans he would like to sign.

"Apart from Lionel Messi, who would be perfect for AS Roma? I'm thinking of (Ivan) Rakitic, who's having a great season in Barcelona," smiled Monchi, who worked with Rakitic when he was sports director of Sevilla.

"In Barca, there are so many that it would be the dream of any sports director ... choosing one would be difficult."