Ivan Rakitic Has Publicly Criticised Philippe Coutinho's Transfer Fee

Ivan Rakitic has admitted that Barcelona have overpaid for record signing Philippe Coutinho, but states that 'every great player' is welcome at the club.

His comments come after reports in Spain claimed that Rakitic told teammate Lionel Messi that he will leave if Coutinho arrives at the club this month.

Ahead of Coutinho's medical at Barcelona on Monday afternoon, the 29-year-old discussed his reported £142 million transfer to the Camp Nou and it's caused quite a stir online.

"My opinion doesn't matter, but the price has gone a bit high, that's what the market dictates," Rakitic said via The Mirror.

"Every great player is welcome here. I congratulate the president and everyone else who made it possible for him to be here. He is one of the family now, we are going to enjoy him a lot, he's now at the biggest club in the world."

Coutinho's move from Liverpool to Barcelona has been a hot topic of debate in recent days.

Before his medical, former teammate Lucas Leiva spoke to Coutinho on FaceTime and told him that missing out on Champions League football with Barca would mean that he was fresh for the World Cup later in the year.

"Missing the Champions League means you will be fresh for the World Cup, my friend." Leiva said via The Daily Mail.

"It's not ideal, but you have to look at things positively."

It was also reported that fellow Brazilian teammates David Luiz and Willian called to wish him well.

Coutinho admitted in an interview that Barcelona is a 'dream' move, while saying it will be 'incredible' to play alongside Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, among others.

"Hi Barca fans, I am already here, it is a dream come true and I hope to see you tomorrow," he said in a video message via BBC.

"It is incredible to know that I am going to live with idols, players with a lot of history.

"Footballers like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, [Andres] Iniesta, [Gerard] Pique, [Sergio] Busquets. I am very happy to be able to live together, to be able to learn from them and be able to win together," Coutinho added.

Thoughts on Rakitic's comments about Coutinho's transfer fee? Have Barcelona paid too much?

Let us know.

Topics: Liverpool, Barcelona, Transfers, Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_