Iniesta: I know that Rakitic is happy and wants to stay at Barcelona Barcelona Confident that Takefusa Kubo has a bright future

Andres Iniesta may be plying his trade with Vissel Kobe in Japan nowadays, but he still keeps a close eye on Barcelona and is confident that their summer recruits have added more quality to the team.

Frenkie de Jong is one of those who has made an immediate impact, though his arrival has cast doubt over the future of Ivan Rakitic.

"I don't know if he's non-transferrable," Iniesta told GOL about the Croatian.

"But I know he's happy and wants to stay at Barcelona.

"I hope that he can keep performing like before. I'd be happy for him."

Antoine Griezmann is another big-name player Barcelona have brought in, a signing Iniesta is happy with.

"He is an exceptional player who knows LaLiga [Santander] and the teammates he will have," said Iniesta.

"Everything indicates that he will do well."

Barcelona continue to be linked with a move to bring Neymar back to the Camp Nou, with Iniesta of the belief that the Brazilian is one of the world's best.

"I've said it many times: for me, as a player he's one of the best there is," the 35-year-old noted.

Playing in Japan, Iniesta would have had to come up against Takefusa Kubo, formerly of La Masia and Real Madrid's new signing, who is exciting supporters on Los Blancos' pre-season tour of the United States.

"You'll have to ask Barcelona, who are the ones who were unable to keep him," Iniesta mentioned.

"He's a very talented player, very complete."