Barcelona will sign Rafinha Alcantara replacement, hints Ernesto Valverde

Ernesto Valverde has hinted Barcelona will look to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window following Rafinha Alcantara’s long-term injury.

The Brazilian midfielder ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee against Atletico Madrid on Saturday and is expected to be ruled out for the remainder of the season.

“It is a situation the club will be analysing,” Valverde replied when asked directly about a January move for a Rafinha replacement.

“We were taken by surprise with the news (of the length of injury) because he was able to finish the game against Atletico and we did not believe that would lead to such an absence.

“We will need to look at the market and to think about what is best for this club and what would be best in order to meet our aims.

“Ousmane Dembele? He has been playing regularly for us this season and he has the quality both to start and to make a big impact from the substitute’s bench.

“He has the capability of doing a lot of damage and has the potential to change the game when he comes on, we all give great value to that.

“It is not necessarily true that being on the bench does not mean you are not important, you need to understand the dynamic of football and individual games.”

Tags Rafinha Alcantara
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