A Chinese side showed an interest in Ivan Rakitic in January but the move fell through due to the coronavirus outbreak in the Asian country.
The move was structured in a similar way to the deal that saw Javier Mascherano leave Barça for China two Januarys ago.
Rakitic never wanted to leave in January for the Far East but there were talks. Everything broke down, though, due to Covid-19 and the suspension of the Chinese Super League.
The Croatian midfielder was also negotiating with Juventus, which was a more interesting option but didn't not come to fruition, either. His desire is to return to Sevilla.
Coronavirus has now reached Europe and continues to spread at an alarming rate. Spain, after Italy, is the European country with the most cases and La Liga has been suspended.