Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde admitted he does not know if Rafinha Alcantara will remain at the club for the upcoming campaign.
The Brazil midfielder spent the season half of last season on loan at Inter – who have once again been linked with him – but he netted in Wednesday’s Joan Gamper trophy win over Boca Juniors.
Rafinha made 17 appearances in Serie A for the Nerazzuri last season after a January loan, starting 12 of those games and has been linked with a host of clubs this summer.
“I’m very happy with Rafinha’s impact in pre-season,” Valverde told reporters, as cited by Marca.
“He has played very well and integrated into the squad, but we are unsure what will happen as the window does not close until 31 August.
“Personally, I want the market to close now so that I know my squad and which players I can count on for this season.
The Milanese giants had a €40m option to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis but failed to raise the funds in time and Rafinha returned to the Camp Nou.
Sport Mediaset say Inter will now ask again for Rafinha – whose brother Thiago plays for Bayern Munich – on an initial loan deal, with the player receptive of the move.
Barca have seen midfielders Andres Iniesta and Paulinho depart this summer, with Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal both signed.
