Barca’s Rafinha chased by trio

Juventus, Arsenal and Liverpool are monitoring the situation of Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcantara, according to reports in Spain.

Mundo Deportivo reports the three clubs have all approached the Brazilian’s representatives regarding the possibility of a deal, but have not yet made official contact with the Catalan club.

The 24-year-old has netted seven times across 27 appearances for the Blaugrana this season but has started only 13 La Liga games and the report suggests he could be open to a move elsewhere to guarantee regular first-team football.

The versatile midfielder first made an impression during a season-long loan at Celta Vigo in the 2013-14 campaign under Coach Luis Enrique, who then integrated him into the first team at the Camp Nou the following year.

However, despite impressing initially the midfielder suffered an injury-hit 2015-16 which restricted him to only six league appearances.

In November 2015 Barcelona rewarded his fine form with a new long-term deal until 2020, setting his buyout clause at €75m, which may not ward off his suitors.

"I want to continue at Barcelona but if I'm not given many minutes I'll consider leaving because what I want is to play. But we will see," Rafinha, who’s older brother is Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago, told Catalunya Radio earlier in the season.

"The best thing for a footballer, the normal thing, is to want to be on the pitch. If that's not here, there's nothing wrong in going out on loan. But I'll do everything I can to play for Barcelona."

"It is difficult to play regularly in a club like Barcelona because here we have the best players in the word," he said. "I remembered that when I was promoted from the second team, and the club gave me the chance to move on loan I didn't think twice. I wanted to play."

Tags Arsenal Juventus Liverpool Rafinha
La Liga - Club News