Barcelona and Inter are continuing to negotiate for the transfer of midfielder Rafinha Alcantara although their valuations differ, according to reports.
Diario AS state the Catalan giants value the midfielder at €40m with the Milanese club only willing to pay half that, with negotiations shifting to a loan deal with an obligation to buy.
In La Gazzetta dello Sport it is reported that Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio travelled to Barcelona on Tuesday and will watch their game against Espanyol in the Copa del Rey – in which Rafinha may play.
A report in yesterday’s Marca states the Brazilian will join the Italian club this month – as indicated by previous reports in the Spanish and Catalan press.
A loan with a compulsory purchase option had been an idea floated by the press but all parties are said to be ‘calm’ that a deal will be processed soon.
Celta Vigo had also been linked with the 24-year-old, who previously played at the club in the 2013/14 campaign under Luis Enrique and was reportedly open to a return under Juan Carlos Unzue – Enrique’s former number two.
El Mundo Deportivo had last week insisted the midfielder is more likely to head to Inter, who have cooled their interest in the Blaugrana forward Gerard Deulofeu.
Rafinha has recovered from a serious injury that kept him out since April and wants regular playing time, which he appears unlikely to find at the Camp Nou.
The versatile midfielder turns 25 next month and his brother Thiago is a regular for Bayern Munich and Spain, although Rafinha has opted to represent Brazil and is eyeing a place in this year’s World Cup.
