Liverpool are set to be dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic after the player claimed that he would love to play in the Champions League for Real Madrid.

Reports are rife that the Sevilla captain spoke to German daily Kicker expressing his wishes for the upcoming season. The story has also been relayed by Spanish newspaper AS Sport.

The 26 year old has had a tremendous season for Sevilla scoring 13 goals and grabbing 12 assists in 46 appearances and has widely attracted interest from Liverpool after refusing to sign anew deal with  the Andalusian club last November.

Rakitic is one of the most technically gifted players across Europe capable of playing anywhere in he centre of midfield, either as an anchorman or a deep lying play maker in the middle of the pitch.

With Sevilla’s Europa Final against Benfica on the cards Rakitic was quoted as saying.

“The whole side are excited by the game. Benfica might have more experience, but there’s no favourite. They lost the Europa League final last year, and we’ve got to put them under pressure. We don’t have players like Luis Fabiano anymore, we’re a side in transition but we are hungry and young.”

The Croat also dropped a hint on his future claiming he would love to play in the upper echelons of European football next season. Real Madrid are thought to be interested in the midfielder who would ceaselessly fit in at Santiego Bernebeu in Carlo Ancelotti’s flexible tactical setup.

“Madrid We’ve got to wait for the final, and the World Cup, then we’ll see. This year we’ve taken a big step forward, but all players want to play in the Champions League”.