Barcelona are reportedly set to keep hold of Rafinha until at least January.
Barcelona advisor Ariedo Braida has told Marca that the club is set to keep Rafinha Alcantara beyond the transfer deadline this month after a summer of speculation.
Rafinha – the son of former Brazil star Mazinho – has has come up through the ranks with Barca having joined at the age of just 13, but has struggled to make a huge impact.
The midfielder, 25, has made just 79 appearances for Barca, scoring 11 times, and his lack of playing time last season saw him head out on loan to Inter Milan in January.
With two goals and three assists in 17 games for Inter, Rafinha starred at the San Siro, but Inter chose not to pursue a permanent deal as they signed Roma’s Radja Nainggolan instead.
Mundo Deportivo reported this summer that Tottenham were eyeing up Rafinha, in part thanks to Mauricio Pochettino’s relationship with Barcelona director Ramon Planes from their time together at Espanyol.
However, Barca advisor Ariedo Braida has told Marca that Rafinha is now set to stay with Barca beyond the transfer deadline this month, but his long-term future does remain in some doubt.
Barca play a 4-4-2 under Ernesto Valverde, and have Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Arthur Melo, Denis Suarez and Carles Alena available for just two midfield spots, meaning Rafinha still faces an uphill battle for playing time.
In fact, despite Braida’s comments, Spurs should still be keeping tabs on Rafinha ahead of January, as the Brazilian ace fits the profile of what Spurs would want in a Mousa Dembele successor; skill, dribbling ability, drive through midfield and a superb left foot.
If Rafinha is available come January, Spurs should be interested in the Barca man once again, and if he really is on Pochettino’s radar, then knowing that Barcelona don’t intend to sell him to a European club this month is actually a boost for Tottenham.
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