Jose Castro: 'We do not have to sell'

Sevilla president Jose Castro has insisted that the Spanish outfit do not need to sell star players this summer in order to balance their budget.

Skipper Ivan Rakitic has been strongly linked with a departure, with Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona all believed to be interested in the Croatian.

However, Castro is confident that the playmaker will remain at the Estadio Ramon.

"The last offer we made to Rakitic was a significant percentage of our total budget. We made this offer because we want him to sign," he told Sevilla's official television channel.

"We want to make sure that he stays, not that he leaves. We want the team to be strong and for all Sevillistas to enjoy it.

"We won't make anyone stay who doesn't want to be at Sevilla. Anyone who wants to walk through the door can do it, though it has to be at our price. We are relaxed and we have no need to sell."

Rakitic is currently on international duty ahead of the World Cup.

Written by
Matt Law