Sevilla head coach Unai Emery has admitted that he is expecting the club to sell Ivan Rakitic this summer.

Rakitic has been repeatedly linked with a move to Barcelona, with reports suggesting that a deal is close to being agreed between the two clubs, and Emery concedes that the Croatian is likely to be playing his football elsewhere next season.

"The best thing from a sporting sense is that Rakitic stay with us, but I understand that for various reasons Rakitic will go," the Spaniard told Canal+ Liga.

"And we have to be prepared for it. If he finally leaves, we have to work hard to get another Rakitic."

Atletico Madrid have also been linked with Rakitic, who is currently preparing for the World Cup with Croatia.