Barca soften Rafinha stance

Barcelona are willing to sanction the loan of midfielder Rafinha Alcantara to Inter with an obligation to buy, say reports.

Earlier this week, Diario AS stated 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.

On Friday, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that a loan deal with a €38m option to buy is being considered along with a loan with a slightly cheaper obligation to buy.

The Nerazzurri reportedly do not have significant transfer funds this window due to the FFP situation and are keener to sort out a loan deal with a future purchase option.

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio had travelled to Barcelona on Tuesday to watch their game against Espanyol in the Copa del Rey in which Rafinha played.

A report in Tuesday’s Marca stated the Brazilian will join the Italian club this month – as indicated by previous reports in the Spanish and Catalan press.

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.

Tags Inter Milan Rafinha Alcantara
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