Barcelona are not contemplating letting Arturo Vidal leave in January but are open to offers of €25-€30 million for Ivan Rakitic, various sources have told ESPN FC.
Inter Milan have expressed an interest in both players in recent months, although Barca have made it clear they do not want to lose Vidal midseason. The Chile international plays an important role in the squad and, even though he doesn't start every week, the Spanish champions feel he will be needed as the season progresses.
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Sources have told ESPN FC that a meeting took place between Barca and Inter officials around the Champions League game between the two sides at the beginning of October, which Barca won 2-1.
Both Vidal and Rakitic were discussed but Barca told the Italian side that they were in no rush to reach an agreement with January still a couple of months away. However, they stressed that even then they will not entertain any offer for Vidal, who has a contract with the club until 2021.
Vidal, 32, has only started twice this season but he has made nine appearances in total and has already contributed three goals. He was on target in Tuesday's 5-1 win over Real Valladolid. Sources at Barcelona told ESPN FC that he is a major character in the dressing room, while pointing out that he offers something different to the other midfielders in Ernesto Valverde's squad.
Inter coach Antonio Conte is one of Vidal's biggest advocates. The two worked together at Juventus and Vidal, speaking this week, expressed his gratitude to Conte for the role he has played in his career at the same time as revealing he would like to be playing more regularly.
"I had some great moments under Conte and was able to really progress thanks to him," he said. "The most important thing in football is confidence and when a coach with his prestige gives you that, you improve a lot."
Inter, though, may have more luck in their pursuit of Rakitic as sources have told ESPN FC that Barca need to raise €124m in sales before June 30. The former Sevilla midfielder said he would be open to leaving in January, having seen his minutes plummet this season.
A source close to the situation has told ESPN FC that Inter continue to "insist" on signing Rakitic. There is interest from Paris Saint-Germain, too, who bid for him in 2018. Juventus also made an enquiry in the summer.
Rakitic, 31, has started just one game this season. He had previously been an ever-present under first Luis Enrique and later Valverde after joining the club in 2014 for €18m.