Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Rafinha would like to return to the Serie A and is open to joining AC Milan, following rival interest from Aston Villa, according to Calciomercato.it.
AC Milan Technical Director Paolo Maldini is eager to secure the right opportunity in the final week of the summer transfer window to strengthen Stefano Pioli’s engine room. The Rossoneri are light of attacking options after Hakan Calhanoglu’s exit and him joining Inter.
Maldini has not yet contacted PSG to discuss Rafinha leaving the Ligue 1 giants and joining AC Milan. But the Brazilian is ready to give the Rossoneri his yes under the right conditions. He longs for another spell in the Serie A, and particularly with AC, after playing for Inter.
Rafinha spent the latter half of the 2017/18 season on loan at Inter Milan form Barcelona, making 17 appearances. He scored twice and offered three assists for the Nerazzurri, too, after a late flurry over the final six games.
The two-cap Brazil international could now return to the San Siro and line up in red-and-black if Maldini advances. Mundo Deportivo have also previously cited AC Milan’s interest in Rafinha, and noted competition from Aston Villa and Lazio.
Additionally, PSG are only likely to request €10m (£8.5m) for the 28-year-old, a year after paying Barcelona €3m (£2.5m). Rafinha’s former La Liga outfit would be owed 35% of any fee, should the Brazilian leave the Parc des Princes.
Rafinha was a smashing success upon joining PSG with five assists in 17 games under now-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. But the £89,000-per-week maestro has struggled under Mauricio Pochettino, with two assists in 18 games, starting eight in all competitions.
Should Aston Villa rival AC Milan for PSG midfielder Rafinha?
Dean Smith would face a challenge to convince Rafinha to leave PSG and ignore AC Milan to join Aston Villa. The Brazilian longs for the Serie A and another chance to play at the San Siro. He is also ready to pack his bags and jet out of Paris before next Tuesday’s deadline.
But the Villans would improve their core with a raid on Les Parisiens for the 2014/15 Champions League winner. He showed his creativity under Tuchel and would offer Smith a dynamic operator. The Chelsea boss’ praise additionally shows Smith what he can bring.
“I have always been a fan of Rafinha, he is exceptional,” Tuchel said, via The Canadian, last December. “He always gives everything for the team. He’s had quite a bit of bad luck with the injuries, but I’m not surprised by what he’s been doing since joining us.”
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